Three days later, Shen Ruozhen's physical indicators returned to normal and he was able to be discharged from the hospital.
Xiang Mingzhang brought a set of clothes, mainly comfortable sweatpants and a down jacket. After Shen Ruozhen changed, he sat on the edge of the bed and stretched his legs. Xiang Mingzhang squatted on the ground to tie his shoelaces.
His hair has grown longer and the ends are blocking his eyes a bit. The last time Shen Ruozhen had his hair cut, it was Aunt Tang who did it and Mrs. Chu gave him some advice. He was very satisfied with the result.
Xiang Mingzhang stood up, raised his hand and snapped his fingers: "It's tied, what are you thinking about?"
Shen Ruozhen was thinking about... home. He smiled and said, "Nothing."
Xu Liao drove to pick them up and waited at the door of the inpatient building.
It rained last night and the moist morning mist lingered for a long time. As soon as he came out, Shen Ruozhen took a deep breath of the long-lost fresh air.
The SUV drove out of the hospital and headed towards Yuansi Cemetery. When passing by a flower shop on the way, Xiang Mingzhang got off the car and bought a bunch of white freesias.
It was still drizzling in the suburbs, and it was chilly. The tomb of "Chu Shichen" was under a green shade. After the beginning of spring, the surrounding grass and trees had sprouted new branches.
Unfortunately, the vitality next to the grave is the most useless. Xiang Mingzhang walked closer and put down the bouquet. There was no name or words on the tombstone. He took out a corner of his handkerchief and wiped off the fallen leaves and grass clippings on it.
Shen Ruozhen held up an umbrella and said, "After becoming 'Chu Shichen', I secretly bought this cemetery as a place for his soul to rest in peace."
At first, Shen Ruozhen thought that "Chu Shichen" was just like him, who was in distress at sea and it was all an accident.
Unexpectedly, after careful analysis, the real secret was discovered.
Xiang Mingzhang stood up. The surface of his black coat was covered with a layer of fine water droplets. The raindrops brushed his face, making him sober. He decided, "Although it's late, I want to make some compensation."
Shen Ruozhen stepped forward, tilted the umbrella to cover Xiang Mingzhang's head, and asked, "What do you want to do?"
"The dead cannot be resurrected, so it is nothing more than comforting the living." Xiang Mingzhang said, "Money will depreciate, and the Chu family has everything else. My relationship with 'Chu Shichen' originated from the stock acquisition, so I plan to give the acquired shares to the Chu family."
At the beginning, Li Cangqiu held the right to speak, and Yisi had been sluggish for many years. In the year after being acquired by Xiang Yue, the situation improved in all aspects. It is no exaggeration to say that it has undergone a complete transformation.
Now Yisi's value has increased significantly and is full of potential. If the shares return to the Chu family, Mrs. Chu and Chu Shihui will become major shareholders, and the mother and daughter will have sufficient protection in the future.
Shen Ruozhen said: "From a business perspective, this compensation is the most practical."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "But if the shares are given to the Chu family, Yisi will have nothing to do with Xiang Yue, and Xiang Yue will no longer have the position to interfere with Yisi's development."
As the saying goes, it is good to lean on a big tree for shade. Yisi's changes in business and technology are inseparable from Xiang Yue's help. Shen Ruozhen said: "After the separation of the two parties, Yisi should be more difficult and need to operate more cautiously."
Xiang Mingzhang was concerned about this aspect: "Mrs. Chu doesn't care about things, and Miss Chu is still studying, so she can't take on the responsibility for a while. And Yisi's situation has been improving for less than a year. The company's operations and personnel management, and the leader are crucial."
This person must be able to stand on his own, but he must never become the second Li Zangqiu.
Shen Ruozhen was promoted to the director of Yisi's sales department at the beginning of the year. Xiang Mingzhang once told him that this was just the first step. He understood that the higher goal was to take Li Zangqiu's position, the head of Yisi and the president of operations.
He was humble, but not ashamed to show his ambition, and asked: "Will you consider me?"
The first person Xiang Mingzhang considered was Shen Ruozhen. He replied, "The compensation I gave to the Chu family was shares, not you."
Shen Ruozhen asked: "What do you mean?"
Xiang Mingzhang turned to him, grabbed the umbrella handle and held it, saying: "Yisi belongs to Xiang Yue, you are just going from the ninth floor to the twelfth floor, and when Yisi is separated from Xiang Yue, I don't want you to leave with her."
Shen Ruozhen said: "You are not the kind of person who would mix public and private matters. We are both busy and can meet after get off work. Does every couple work together?"
Xiang Mingzhang explained solemnly: "You misunderstood. I am not talking about a personal relationship. I am seriously trying to retain you as President Xiang Yue, your superior and work partner."
Before Shen Ruozhen could react, Xiang Mingzhang said clearly: "I need your ability. It has nothing to do with whether I love you or not."
Shen Ruozhen understood, and couldn't help but feel moved and happy, as if he and everything he had done in this era had received feedback.
This proves that Shen Ruozhen can adapt to the new society and new industry, and do quite well.
Shen Ruozhen looked up at the branch-like ribs of the umbrella and said, "Mr. Xiang, thank you for the olive branch you extended to me."
Xiang Mingzhang had a hunch: "Are you going to refuse?"
"You're not the only one who wants to make amends," Shen Ruozhen replied, "I stole the identity of 'Chu Shichen', and I also hope to do more for the Chu family, so that I can alleviate my guilt in the future."
Yisi finally started to improve, and he couldn't just ignore it: "You return Yisi's shares, and I will continue to help Yisi to get everything on track, so that our compensation can be considered complete."
They agreed at the beach that Shen Ruozhen would bid farewell to the identity of "Chu Shichen" after the matter was over. Xiang Mingzhang said reluctantly: "Then you may have to wait a little longer."
Shen Ruozhen is a man of strict plans, but if things are disrupted by force majeure, he will not force it. He said generously: "It doesn't matter if I wait a little longer. I believe everything is in God's will."
Xiang Mingzhang respected Shen Ruozhen's wishes. When the rain stopped, he put away his umbrella and bowed to the tombstone.
Shen Ruozhen once promised in front of the grave that he would give "Chu Shichen" an explanation about the yacht accident. He finally said: "Alan, who killed you, has been burned to death, and others will also pay the price."
The stone road was slippery and difficult to walk on after the rain, so Xiang Mingzhang took Shen Ruozhen's hand and left the cemetery.
The SUV drove along the suburban highway and arrived at the airport an hour and a half later.
It was the off-season for tourism, so there were not many people at the airport pick-up point for international flights. After a while, Mrs. Chu and Bai Yongti came out arm in arm, accompanied by several bodyguards.
Chu Shihui was behind but had sharp eyes and shouted, "Brother! Chu Shichen!"
Shen Ruozhen waved his hand. He had just recovered from a serious illness and his complexion was not very good, but he looked relaxed in his casual clothes.
Shen Ruozhen smiled and said, "Mom, nothing is wrong now. I'm fine."
"Don't lie to me." Mrs. Chu said, "I won't pay attention to anyone who lies to me."
Shen Ruozhen was stunned for a moment. Xiang Mingzhang raised his hand to support his back and answered for him: "Aunt, blame me. It's my fault for not doing things well."
How could Mrs. Chu care about the younger generation? She said, "Then Miss Bai must be sad. Why are you still guarding him? Help your mother carry the luggage."
Bai Yongti stood aside, and the luggage and bag had already been handed over to Xu Liao. When Xiang Mingzhang came over, she said, "The farm in New Zealand is very beautiful. I brought you some honey."
This ordinary gossip was hard-won. Xiang Mingzhang put his arm around Bai Yongti's shoulders and said, "Let's go. Let's talk about it when we get back."
Xu Liao wanted to send Xiang Mingzhang and Bai Yongti back to Manzhuang. A driver from the Chu family came to pick them up. The two families parted outside the terminal and agreed to meet again another day.
The villa had been empty for more than half a month. Fortunately, it was next to the river bank and not very dusty. As soon as she entered the door, Mrs. Chu threw herself on the sofa in the living room, shouting that home was the most comfortable place.
Shen Ruozhen put the keys on the tray. Chu Shihui stared at the purple back of his hand and asked in a low voice: "Did you really get hurt from the infusion?"
"You have a sharp eye." Shen Ruozhen said calmly, "It's just a minor illness or disaster. It's okay. Are you and mom having fun in New Zealand?"
Chu Shihui said: "It was quite leisurely, but I lost my love in the middle of it."
Shen Ruozhen was not surprised. He had no intention of commenting on this relationship or Li Heng. He touched the top of Chu Shihui's head and said, "There are still many things worth doing for you."
Chu Shihui shrugged and ran to the sofa: "Mom, call Aunt Tang and Sister Xiu. I want to eat the food they cook."
Mrs. Chu said, "I know. Where are the gifts for them? Prepare them first."
Shen Ruozhen listened to the voices and laughter in the room and realized that he felt much more than a responsibility for this family and had long been nostalgic for it.
Before being discharged from the hospital, the doctor told Shen Ruozhen to go home and rest, but he couldn't rest and went to the company the next day.
After wearing the soft and loose hospital gown for a long time, Shen Ruozhen felt a little uncomfortable in the well-fitting suit and kept wanting to loosen his tie along the way.
Aunt Tang trimmed his hair to the perfect length. The driver helped him carry two large boxes of fruits and jams from New Zealand, and distributed them to his colleagues after arriving at the company.
After being absent from work for so long, the director's office was almost turned into an archive room. Shen Ruozhen worked diligently throughout the morning to pay off his debt and immediately convened a department meeting after lunch.
Because there were so many things piled up, the meeting time was repeatedly extended. Shen Ruozhen spoke briefly, but he couldn't help but discuss the trivial details one by one, so he refilled the water at hand three or four times.
After finishing one more task, he glanced at his watch and said, "There are still a few small problems left. Let's keep going and add another ten minutes."
The assistant knocked on the door of the conference room and interrupted, "Director, Mr. Xiang asked what time the meeting will end?"
Shen Ruozhen said, "Mr. Xiang, are you looking for me?"
The assistant said, "Yes, it's been a while."
Shen Ruozhen said: "Help me hit the inside line, I will go to the ninth floor in ten minutes."
The assistant looked embarrassed: "Mr. Xiang is in your office."
Shen Ruozhen finally adjourned the meeting and returned to the office. Xiang Mingzhang was sitting behind his desk. He had signed all the documents he needed to sign and arranged them in a row according to his secretary's habit.
When they came to the door, Shen Ruozhen walked around the table and asked, "I am honored to be here. What can I do for you?"
"It's a routine inspection." Xiang Mingzhang said, "Director Shen worked very hard, and held meetings for three or four hours without stopping. If his chest doesn't hurt, his throat should hurt."
Shen Ruozhen heard the blame: "Does this count as checking up on me?"
Xiang Mingzhang expected that Shen Ruozhen would devote herself to work, and said, "If you get too busy and lose your sense of proportion, I can only force you to take sick leave."
A higher-ranking official can crush a person, but Shen Ruozhen was not afraid and asked, "Do you get paid?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "No, I have no money."
It was the first time Shen Ruozhen heard this man complain about being poor: "What's wrong?"
Xiang Mingzhang moved the report on the table. There was a card similar to a greeting card underneath. In order to thank the rescue team and doctors, he donated two batches of equipment and said, "You can write the thank you message. It will be more sincere."
Shen Ruozhen happily started writing, muttering to himself and filling the blank space.
The cell phone rang and Xiang Mingzhang answered it. He didn't say anything specific, but just said "hmm" twice in a deep voice.
After hanging up, Shen Ruozhen had just finished writing and said, "It looks like something happened."
Xiang Mingzhang speculated and relayed, "Xiang Xingzhao is not in good condition."
It’s the same excuse again. Is it really bad, or are they just unable to sit still
Shen Ruozhen asked: "So?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Get ready to go to the hospital."
It was almost time to get off work. Shen Ruozhen put on the cap of his pen and said calmly, "Since overtime is not allowed, I'll go and see what's going on."
(End of this chapter)