Chu Shichen was stunned: "That's different."
"It's more unknown and more terrifying to me." Xiang Mingzhang stared at the coastline. "This sea can bring you here, but it can also take you away."
Chu Shichen had thought so when he first came to the present age, but as he continued to witness everything in the new century, he changed his mind: "Times have changed, the country's progress will not go backwards, and the development of this world is irreversible."
Xiang Mingzhang listened to his confident words and asked: "Where do you get your confidence from?"
"I..." Chu Shichen was stunned by the question, "I am impressed by modern technology and believe in science."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "I am a person who runs a technology company. After meeting you, I don't dare to fully believe in science. You still can't even get used to using a hair dryer. How can you believe it?"
Chu Shichen didn't continue arguing. He pushed open the car door, stretched his legs, got out of the car, and strode towards the sea.
Xiang Mingzhang immediately chased after him, walked around the front of the car and ran to the back of Chu Shichen in three or two steps. He grabbed one of Chu Shichen's arms and held it tightly. The sea breeze blew his raised knuckles red.
The tide was coming, just a hair away from wetting their shoes. Xiang Mingzhang asked, "What are you doing? Are you trying to scare me?"
With his coat fluttering and his black hair dancing, Chu Shichen said, "I swear to the sea."
Xiang Mingzhang didn't believe that, but asked, "What oath?"
Chu Shichen said solemnly: "From now on I will use a hair dryer."
Xiang Mingzhang laughed in anger. Before he could think of any harsh words, Chu Shichen bumped into him. He instinctively opened his arms and hugged him, full of helplessness: "Are you acting like a spoiled child?"
"I won't act like a spoiled brat." Chu Shichen said, "I'm very rigid. I'll do what I promised. I'll definitely use a hair dryer in the future, and this will last a very long time."
Xiang Mingzhang asked: "How long is it?"
Chu Shichen replied: "When I am thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, seventy, eighty. By then, I may not need to blow it, and it won't make any sound. I can just make it into a hat and put it on my hair and it will be dry."
Xiang Mingzhang became more steadfast and said, "I will buy you the best, so don't run around."
The roaring waves could swallow up a huge ship. Chu Shichen hugged Xiang Mingzhang's broad back as if he was hugging a floating log. He said, "Once we get over this hurdle and find the real culprit of the yacht accident, we can give 'Chu Shichen' an explanation. We can also take this opportunity to draw a clear line with Li Zangqiu and help the Chu family get rid of future troubles."
Before he could finish, Xiang Mingzhang understood his thoughts and said, "When it's over, you can go back to being Shen Ruozhen."
Chu Shichen buried his head in Xiang Mingzhang's neck and nodded, his warm breath suffocating the collar of his coat: "Do you remember the first sentence you said to Shen Ruozhen?"
Xiang Mingzhang will never forget this and feels ashamed: "I read the elegiac couplet to you."
Chu Shichen punched him and said, "Don't worry, I won't let you read it a second time."
The jeep drove away from the beach amid the screams of seagulls. Chu Shichen picked up a shell in good shape, wiped it clean, and placed it on the center console.
Everything is ready and the design exhibition will be held as scheduled.
In the morning, Chu Shichen picked out a pure black suit. The slightly shiny material seemed a bit thin in the early spring weather, but it was light and neat.
After he got dressed and looked in front of the mirror, he felt serious, so he put on the agate brooch Bai Yongti had given him so that others would pay less attention to his expression.
Xugu Garden is located in the east of the city. There are eight buildings in the garden, each with its own design and height. The most famous ones are the art space, the big show venue and the concept hall.
The vehicle enters from the main gate, passes through an irregular water mirror square, and parks in garage No. 1.
The building where the design exhibition is held is called "Qijian". It is three stories high. The lake blue suspended glass staircase is eye-catching and full of a cold mechanical feel.
The school was the host, and every teacher and student wore a school badge on their chest, and all guests were admitted with invitations.
Xiang Mingzhang arrived on time, wearing a finely tailored suit with a pocket watch chain dangling faintly from his collar. He took an introduction booklet and slowly walked to a corner of the venue.
Chu Shichen was standing in a corner looking at a sign explaining AI technology when he suddenly smelled a clear scent of cologne. Xiang Mingzhang stopped beside him and behind him, like a bodyguard.
"Do you understand?" is a very hurtful statement.
Chu Shichen turned around and said, "The professors from the school are here. I can ask if I don't understand."
Xiang Mingzhang glanced at the brooch on his lapel and said sweetly: "It looks good on you."
More and more guests arrived, some of whom were security personnel. Chu Shichen and Xiang Mingzhang walked around carefully but did not find any suspicious people.
There was nothing abnormal with the vehicle and all the information matched the registration.
According to the process, students organizing the exhibition will take turns to present and explain their design ideas and results to everyone.
Chu Shichen didn't quite understand, so Xiang Mingzhang acted as a translator and explained things to him in his ear.
The crowd moved across most of the venue, and it was Chu Shihui's turn to present the last part. At this time, someone came late with an invitation. It was Li Heng.
Chu Shihui was not disturbed and began to explain after a moment of silence.
Chu Shichen walked closer to Li Heng, stood side by side, and said, "I thought you wouldn't come."
Li Heng looked unhappy: "I am here to support Xiao Hui, I have nothing to say to you."
Chu Shichen asked: "Isn't Uncle Li coming?"
Li Heng asked, "Come and see how you look like a smug villain?"
After the oral presentation, everyone rushed to the second floor to continue viewing the exhibition. Chu Shichen paid close attention to Li Heng's every move.
The invited guests are basically from technology companies. These companies recruit top students every year and take this opportunity to set up a one-hour communication session.
The third floor of "In Between" is an open theater where guests are seated and students go on stage, and both sides can ask questions freely.
Xiang Mingzhang represented Xiang Yue, and no one competed with him for the first place. He didn't respect the elderly at home, and didn't care about the children when he went out. He randomly asked a boy to answer, and he stumped him with the first question.
The atmosphere was relaxed, with lively interaction between the stage and the audience.
Chu Shichen watched from the sidelines, and everything was calm.
The design exhibition went smoothly until the afternoon. It had just ended and everyone was leaving in an orderly manner. Li Heng rushed through the crowd and came to Chu Shihui.
"Xiao Hui," Li Heng said, "the design exhibition is over, let's go too."
Chu Shihui said: "There is a party in the evening, I can't leave."
Li Heng was so anxious that he grabbed Chu Shihui's wrist and said, "Don't be silly. You didn't even know that Chu Shichen had sold you out. You are an adult now. As long as you don't want to, you don't have to care what he says!"
Mrs. Chu came over and advised, "Don't quarrel. It's embarrassing in front of teachers and classmates."
Li Heng said, "Aunt, don't be too partial. Why should Xiao Hui's things be given to others? She clearly doesn't want to."
When the Chu brothers and sisters transfer their equity, as long as all the necessary documents are available, it is nominally legal and compliant, and outsiders cannot stop them at all.
It was useless for Li Zangqiu to get angry, and it was also useless for Li Heng to pester him.
Today, in public, Li Heng came to play the emotional card as a final gamble. Once Chu Shihui's attitude wavered, he could judge this matter as "unreasonable and unreasonable."
In front of the school, colleagues in the industry and friends, the Chu family had to consider their reputation.
Unfortunately, Chu Shihui felt embarrassed: "Li Heng, stop making trouble and stop interfering in my affairs."
Li Heng shouted, "I'm your boyfriend, and I'm doing this for your own good. I don't want you to be bullied by that loser!"
Chu Shihui broke away from him and said, "I'm going to change my clothes."
Chu Shichen clapped his hands twice to attract everyone's attention, and announced: "I'm sorry to have wasted a few precious minutes of your time. The party will continue as usual."
The security personnel escorted Mrs. Chu and Chu Shihui through the internal passage. They would stay in the lounge for a while and leave quietly when there were fewer people.
Everyone dispersed in an orderly manner. The party was originally scheduled to be held in Building No. 3, but was changed to the second floor of the Concept Hall at a last minute notice as planned.
The coming and going of people was the most chaotic, and all parties were closely monitoring it, but nothing suspicious was found.
Li Heng refused to give up and stayed at the party drinking dejectedly, falling drunk on the sofa.
Chu Shichen stepped onto the stage with the equity transfer agreement in hand and said, "Xiao Hui suddenly feels unwell and needs to rest. Please forgive me, friends. Today's talk is about equity transfer..."
Xiang Mingzhang stood in the audience holding a glass of champagne. His cell phone vibrated, so he took it out and took a look.
After Chu Shichen came down from the stage, Xiang Mingzhang said, "Xu Liao sent a message that my mother and Mrs. Chu have arrived at the airport and are waiting for their flight after passing security."
Chu Shichen breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's good."
Xiang Mingzhang shook the goblet gently: "Li Heng is drunk, I don't know if Li Zangqiu will show up again."
Chu Shichen said: "Whether he comes or not, everyone knows that Li Heng rushed to the scene, and he will definitely be suspected if something happens."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "If Li Zangqiu wanted to take extreme measures, then Li Heng would not risk staying here and getting drunk."
"What you mean is," Chu Shichen concluded, "Li Zangqiu can be ruled out as the mastermind behind this."
Xiang Mingzhang finished his champagne and said, "Let's wait and see."
The party was gradually reaching its climax, and Chu Shichen was entertaining guests everywhere. He went to the bathroom once and went to the lounge alone to put the contract. In the middle of the party, Mr. Cao from Ningli Pharmaceutical called, and he ran to the terrace alone to answer the call.
Every time he was left alone was an opportunity to take action, but he never encountered any accidents.
The security chief reported in real time that everything was normal.
Chu Shichen couldn't help but wonder, was it because the control was too strict, and the real murderer decided not to take action after weighing the pros and cons? Or was he waiting outside for an opportunity, waiting for them to let down their guard
As the party was drawing to a close, Xiang Mingzhang pulled Chu Shichen to his seat, took a plate of cream cake, and said, "We've been entertaining all night, let's eat something."
Chu Shichen took a bite with his fork and muttered like chewing wax: "Are we wrong?"
Before Xiang Mingzhang could respond, his cell phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and saw that it was a call from Jingpu Mansion.
It was too noisy around, so Xiang Mingzhang went to the corridor to answer the phone: "Hello?"
Uncle Qi asked on the phone: "Mr. Xiang, is it convenient for you to go home?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "What's the matter?"
Uncle Qi said solemnly: "Director Xiang is not in good condition, please come back and take a look."
The last time they said goodbye in the restaurant, Xiang Mingzhang remembered that Xiang Xingzhao's behavior was very abnormal, so he asked, "What's wrong with Grandpa?"
Uncle Qi said, "Director Xiang has been unable to eat these past few days and has no response when called. Doctor Sun suggested going to the hospital, but Director Xiang won't let anyone touch him. I think he's waiting for you to come."
Xiang Mingzhang thought to himself and said, "I have something to do tonight and I can't get away for the time being."
Uncle Qi has always been calm and steady. Hearing this, his breath stagnated slightly, and he was slightly displeased: "I heard at the last dinner that there is a party tonight. Mr. Xiang, I don't understand why a party is more important than Mr. Xiang's health."
Xiang Mingzhang warned: "Uncle Qi, please be careful."
Uncle Qi said, "I have taken care of Mr. Xiang for many years. I am his subordinate and also his close friend. I have to live up to this friendship and the salary he gives me. Mr. Xiang, I will drive to pick you up and wait for you after the party."
After hanging up the phone, Xiang Mingzhang called Dr. Sun and confirmed Uncle Qi's statement.
Chu Shichen found it and asked, "Why did it take so long? What happened?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Xiang Xingzhao is not in good condition. Uncle Qi insisted that I go back to the mansion to check on him."
The cell phone rang again, and Uncle Qi sent the location, saying that he had already left Jingpu mansion and was heading here.
Chu Shichen said: "To be honest, I felt that something was wrong with your grandfather last time in the restaurant."
Xiang Mingzhang said, "But I am worried about you being alone. Mrs. Chu and Miss Chu are gone. Don't go home by yourself. I will send someone to take you to Manzhuang after this."
Chu Shichen was worried that Xiang Mingzhang would be emotionally unstable when facing Xiang Xingzhao alone, so he said, "I'll go to Jingpu Mansion with you."
Xiang Mingzhang nodded: "Yeah, that's fine."
Xiang Huan accompanied Xiang Xingzhao to Xuguyuan. The family's car was allowed to pass freely. Xiang Mingzhang also greeted the security chief. Half an hour later, Uncle Qi arrived and let the car go all the way to the garage to wait.
The party ended in the early morning, and both guests and hosts had a great time and everything went peacefully.
Li Heng staggered away, and others left one after another. The venue became empty little by little, and cars drove out of the gate of Xuguyuan one after another.
Security personnel inspect, clean and lock the venue.
The day passed without any outsiders appearing and without any accidents happening.
Chu Shichen and Xiang Mingzhang were the last to leave, and the No. 1 underground garage was empty, with only a Panamera that drove over from Jingpu Mansion not far away.
Uncle Qi sent three messages to Xiang Mingzhang to urge him, and he got out of the driver's seat, walked around to the back of the car, and opened the door in advance.
Chu Shichen walked absent-mindedly and fell a few steps behind. He really couldn't figure out what went wrong.
Was there a loophole in their strategy? Or did they misjudge the real murderer's motive
"Chu Shichen", equity changes, messy parties, personnel and situations all matched, so why did it fail
The file bag containing the agreement was wrinkled by him, and the signatures on the cover were side by side, one "Chu Shichen" and the other "Chu Shihui". At first glance, they seemed exactly the same.
Actually, there are two names.
After all, any contract signing requires at least two people.
Chu Shichen was suddenly filled with doubts and finally realized what he had missed.
In early spring last year, it was Chu Shichen's yacht at sea. "Chu Shichen" hosted a party. "Chu Shichen" wanted to sell his shares, and it was also "Chu Shichen" who died in the accident.
Therefore, they have always believed that "Chu Shichen" is the protagonist of the whole incident, but they have overlooked the fact that a contract requires two parties, A and B.
The real murderer's target may not be "Chu Shichen", but the other party to the contract.
Chu Shichen was startled and looked up at the tall figure in front of him.
Another person originally invited to the yacht party was Xiang Mingzhang.
Xiang Mingzhang was also followed in Guangzhou.
But who would harm Xiang Mingzhang
A few steps away, Xiang Mingzhang walked up to Uncle Qi and said indifferently, "Sorry for the wait."
Uncle Qi stepped aside and said, "Mr. Xiang, please get in the car."
Xiang Mingzhang bent over to get into the car, and out of the corner of his eye he saw that there was another person in the passenger seat.
Just as he was about to turn his head away, something suddenly pressed against his waist. Before he could react, a strong electric current attacked his limbs and bones.
Uncle Qi seemed to lend a hand and pushed the unconscious Xiang Mingzhang into the car. He turned around and saw Chu Shichen walking towards him quickly.
"Mr. Chu." Uncle Qi looked at the brooch Chu Shichen was wearing.
Chu Shichen's mind was in a mess: "I'll go with Mr. Xiang."
Uncle Qi stepped aside. In the carriage, Xiang Mingzhang was unconscious with his eyes closed, leaning back on the chair.
Chu Shichen suddenly opened his eyes wide and immediately leaned in.
At this time, the person sitting in the passenger seat turned around. His face was dark under the brim of his hat and his eye sockets were sunken. It was Alan.
(End of this chapter)