Shen Ruozhen suddenly looked at Xiang Mingzhang. This unplanned compensation was for him.
He has an unknown way out and he has been worried from the very beginning. Xiang Mingzhang shares his concerns and wants to help him solve them.
Mrs. Chu seemed to understand, and asked blankly: "What mistake could Xiaochen make?"
Xiang Mingzhang considered, "No one is saintly. If he had to lie and conceal something, could you forgive him once?"
"He won't," Mrs. Chu said. "He used to talk nonsense, but after he lost his memory, he became so reliable that he would definitely do what he said."
Shen Ruozhen was ashamed and said nothing. Xiang Mingzhang wrapped his hand tightly and said, "Everything has its contingencies, and there are always times when you are not sincere."
Mrs. Chu was relieved and said, "He didn't say anything, but you made preparations for him. Who will be responsible if I agree to it?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Then are you willing to agree to this request?"
Mrs. Chu smiled gently and said, "I am his mother. Which mother would not forgive her own child? I promise."
Bai Yongti has been quiet. During this period, Xiang Mingzhang has been living in Manzhuang and has hinted to her intentionally or unintentionally that Shen Ruozhen is not "Chu Shichen".
Xiang Mingzhang has not yet revealed Shen Ruozhen's true identity. He only said that Shen Ruozhen's ancestral home is Ningbo and he has no other relatives in the world.
Bai Yongti was very surprised and couldn't help but recall every meeting and conversation with Shen Ruozhen. After thinking it over, she realized that no matter who Shen Ruozhen was, the impression she had of her and the feelings they had developed to this day would not change.
It was supposed to be a relaxing meal, but the issue of shares was suddenly mentioned. Mrs. Chu and Chu Shihui hadn't digested it yet, and both mother and daughter were a little dazed.
The atmosphere at the table was cold, and Bai Yongti said, "The food is getting cold, let's eat first."
Mrs. Chu came back to her senses and threw the long curly hair hanging in front of her chest behind her. It wasn't a bad thing anyway. She said cheerfully, "Let's eat first. From now on, we won't talk about the company."
Xiang Mingzhang let go of Shen Ruozhen's hand. The sound of dishes and chopsticks hitting each other could be heard on the table. He turned his head and lowered his voice: "Don't blame me for not telling you in advance."
Shen Ruozhen picked up an abalone with chopsticks and asked, "Why didn't you tell me?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "I don't know whether this is a surprise or a joy, I'm afraid you will object."
Shen Ruozhen put the abalone into Xiang Mingzhang's bowl, then took the tiger's paw mushroom from it and ate it himself, saying, "I think the vegetarian dishes at Manzhuang are too light, let's eat some meat to replenish our body."
Xiang Mingzhang smiled. Shen Ruozhen picked up some food for him, which meant that he didn't blame him. He immediately wanted more: "Is this all I can get? I was busy all night and didn't sleep."
If he knew in advance that Shen Ruozhen would not agree, he said with guilt: "You don't have to do this for me."
Xiang Mingzhang chewed the delicious abalone with a calm expression, as if he was just discussing whether the food tasted good or not. In fact, his eyes were eager, all fixed on Shen Ruozhen.
"That's nothing." Xiang Mingzhang said in a deep voice, "Nothing can compare to the bullet you blocked for me."
Shen Ruozhen forgot the pain after his wound healed and asked, "Are you repaying me?"
Xiang Mingzhang replied: "I am good at running a company, but I am a novice in managing relationships. I don't know much about the techniques. I just try my best to please you."
Shen Ruozhen's ears felt hot after hearing this. He stopped talking and picked up a piece of stuffed cucumber and ate it slowly.
The waiter came to remove the empty plates and served a few more dishes. The folder would easily get dirty if placed on the table, so Shen Ruozhen took it and opened it while leaning back in his chair.
The plan is about twenty pages long, with detailed and rigorous content, including a lot of data. Xiang Mingzhang has obviously taken the trouble to polish it.
Xiangyue Communications supports Yisi, from the company to the department, and then to the personnel. Shen Ruozhen read the clues and said, "The additional explanation mentioned a new team assessment mechanism."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "For a new business team to grow, there must be a clear direction, cycle and model for the development. These need to be formulated by the leader, that is, you, according to the size and characteristics of the company."
Shen Ruozhen understood this and said, "A new team means fresh blood will be injected. Yisi has reorganized many times, and this time he left Xiang Yue and took the opportunity to reshuffle again."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "This time it will be cleaned very well."
After the design exhibition, Li Heng and Chu Shihui broke up, and the relationship between Li Zangqiu and the Chu family completely fell apart.
Shen Ruozhen said: "Li Zangqiu has already revealed some clues in the company. He is not stupid. Rather than being sidelined and losing face, it is better for him to go to Duheng early to help his son."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "If he leaves, he will take all his people with him."
Going back to the details in the plan, Shen Ruozhen said: "Yisi wants to add new people and establish new mechanisms. It is indeed a new beginning."
The two of them were talking in low voices, not paying attention to the others. Mrs. Chu called Shen Ruozhen for the third time before he heard her. He raised his head and asked, "Mom, what's wrong?"
Mrs. Chu handed over the menu and said, "You guys really can't sit still. Take a break and look at some snacks."
Shen Ruozhen said: "I'm almost full."
Xiang Mingzhang didn't want to go against Mrs. Chu's intention, so he took the menu. He didn't like sweet food, so he just looked at the pictures that he liked. There was a "Dragon and Phoenix Zongzi Ball" that took up a page by itself, with the Zongzi leaves wrapped in gold thread and tied with a Ruyi knot, which looked very impressive.
After a while, the dragon and phoenix rice dumplings were served. They were the size of a fist, half of which was shrimp and lean meat, and the other half was red bean paste and candied dates. The combination of the two swords made them perfect, so they were named "Dragon and Phoenix".
Shen Ruozhen ate the sweet half, and Xiang Mingzhang ate the salty half, which was just right. After they finished eating and removed the rice dumplings leaves, they found a "囍" character engraved on the bottom of the steamer.
The waiter said: "This is the signature dim sum of the Meijinlou wedding banquet series."
People are embarrassed to say the second half of the sentence, which implies "dragon and phoenix bring good luck."
The restaurant is located on the east side of the river bank. After dinner, the two families walked along the riverside avenue. Later, when it started to drizzle, they reluctantly parted.
It was raining heavily when we got home. In order to provide shade in the summer, an extended umbrella shed was built on the porch on one side of the villa. When it rained, the sound of the rain could be heard in the living room.
Shen Ruozhen unbuttoned his shirt and sat on the sofa, his wrist bones faintly visible, with both hands holding a cup of hot tea made by Mrs. Chu.
As the family of three gathered around the fire to chat at night, Mrs. Chu naturally mentioned the matter of shares.
Mrs. Chu patted the folder and said, "Ming Zhang wants to compensate you. I can see that. Your relationship is stronger than gold, so you two can discuss it among yourselves."
Shen Ruozhen was somewhat helpless: "Mom, he raised this matter seriously to you and Xiao Hui, which means this is not a private matter between him and me."
"I want to keep things simple." Mrs. Chu said worriedly, "If they accept it, they will only accept your share. Forget about mine. We sold it voluntarily in the first place. With Yisi's condition, it would be a sign of our friendship if they were willing to accept it."
Shen Ruozhen advised: "Accepting half and keeping the other half is too strange. Mingzhang will not do things that way."
Mrs. Chu looked tangled: "To be honest, I am a mortal. The shares are like picking up a bargain. It is very tempting, but it also makes me feel uneasy."
Chu Shihui felt that it had little to do with her, so she didn't comment. At this time, she interrupted and said, "Me too."
Shen Ruozhen picked up the plan and planned to read it carefully at night. He said, "This is equivalent to a guarantee. You don't have to worry. And I will work hard, okay?"
Mrs. Chu was gentle but not shy, and said frankly: "Then I accept it. Mom doesn't want it. I'll divide my share between you two."
Shen Ruozhen recalled that his mother had said something similar in the past, saying that she would divide her treasures between him and his younger sister in the future. He said that a pipa was enough for him and he didn't want anything else.
Back to reality, Shen Ruozhen also said the same thing: "I don't want it."
Mrs. Chu said, "What don't you want?"
Shen Ruozhen stated: "All the shares that Mingzhang returned are for you. I don't want them."
Mrs. Chu and Chu Shihui asked in unison: "Why?"
Shen Ruozhen tried to make up excuses, but no matter how clumsy or perfect they were, they were all new lies, so he rejected them one by one and just said, "I'll explain it later." "What do you mean later?" Mrs. Chu asked, "How long will it take?"
Shen Ruozhen said: "Wait until Yisi is truly stable."
Chu Shihui said: "Brother, it will be more convenient for you to work in the company if you own shares, there will be no conflict."
"Okay." Shen Ruozhen's voice was slightly cold, "I have made up my mind."
He was always gentle at home, sometimes too polite, and Aunt Tang would even make a few jokes, rarely showing a strong face. Although he didn't speak harshly, his short sentences were as powerful as nails.
Mrs. Chu moved closer and said, "If you don't want to talk, then I won't ask."
Shen Ruozhen felt a pang in his chest. Would the scar hurt if it rained on a cloudy day? He said, "Thank you, Mom."
Mrs. Chu's lipstick was stained by the cup. She pursed her lips, raised her hand and gently stroked Shen Ruozhen's back, and agreed: "Just do as you wish."
The rain came and went all night long.
Shen Ruozhen went out early the next day, half-lowered the car window and sniffed the humid air along the way. When he arrived at the company, it was Sunday and the park was empty.
The office building undergoes deep cleaning every weekend, and the marble floor is polished to a shine, but someone left some unnoticed wet footprints.
The soles of Shen Ruozhen's shoes were also wet with rain. Adhering to the principle of not adding burden to the cleaning department, he walked to the elevator room following the footprints on the ground.
Just as the elevator door was about to close, Shen Ruozhen pressed the boarding button.
The door slowly opened, and Xiang Mingzhang stood upright in the elevator, holding the black umbrella that came with his Rolls-Royce. The tip of the umbrella poked at the carpet, and the water droplets that flowed down wet a pattern.
Shen Ruozhen looked surprised: "Mr. Xiang, why are you coming to the company on your day off?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Why is Director Shen here too? I don't remember asking you to work overtime."
Shen Ruozhen stepped into the elevator and stood side by side with Xiang Mingzhang. Both of them almost forgot how long it had been since they had ridden together.
Only the button for the ninth floor was lit. Xiang Mingzhang asked, "Aren't you going to press the floor button?"
Shen Ruozhen said: "I'll go to the ninth floor too."
When the door to the ninth floor opened, Xiang Mingzhang went out first, followed closely by Shen Ruozhen. The sales department was empty. They passed the secretary's office and went straight to the door of the president's office.
Xiang Mingzhang swiped his card to open the door, and Shen Ruozhen went in with him. He walked straight to the wall and pressed the electronic touch screen.
The door slammed shut and Xiang Mingzhang pressed against Shen Ruozhen's back.
The faces of the two people were reflected on the screen, and Xiang Mingzhang said, "You came here so early in the morning just to disturb me."
Shen Ruozhen turned on the ventilation system: "Don't accuse me, I didn't know you were coming."
Xiang Mingzhang had a lot of things to do and was rushing to finish them. He said, "So you didn't plan to go to the ninth floor, then why did you follow me into the house?"
Shen Ruozhen originally wanted to call later, so he replied, "I want to tell you that my mother and Xiao Hui agreed."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Well, then what?"
Shen Ruozhen pondered and said, "Then... do you want some coffee? Do you need help with overtime?"
Xiang Mingzhang asked: "What is this?"
Shen Ruozhen struggled to break free, turned around, and helped Xiang Mingzhang straighten his tie.
Yesterday at the table in the Meihua Hall, in front of his elders and sister, he was embarrassed to speak softly, so he added at this moment: "I am also trying to please you, is that okay?"
(End of this chapter)