The car drove out of the cemetery, and the distant mountains blurred into continuous green shade. Shen Ruozhen sat upright in the passenger seat, his hands resting on his legs, and his right hand gently stroking the ring mark on his left index finger.
Xiang Mingzhang was driving and noticed it out of the corner of his eye. He asked, "Where's your ring?"
Shen Ruozhen said: "I gave it to my younger sister."
The only remaining old item was taken off and given away. Xiang Mingzhang guessed that something had happened and said, "The brother and sister were far behind just now. What were they discussing?"
Shen Ruozhen stretched out his slender fingers, as if to relax his muscles and bones, and answered leisurely: "I told my little sister that I will leave Yisi in a year."
Xiang Mingzhang paused while turning the steering wheel, then turned around to confirm, "Really?"
Shen Ruozhen didn't beat around the bush and asked directly: "Mr. Xiang, does the olive branch you once extended to me still count?"
Xiang Mingzhang understood. Shen Ruozhen was dragging his feet on moving back to the Chu family, and was vague every time he asked about it. It turned out that he was just thinking about this matter.
But Shen Ruozhen did not move back and decided to leave Yisi after a year. In a sense, he chose him.
"Of course it counts." Xiang Mingzhang grabbed Shen Ruozhen's left hand, "Then why is it one year?"
"I want to help Yisi settle down." Shen Ruozhen said, "Another reason is that I saw Xiang Yue's documents in the study of the apartment, about the new R&D plan."
Xiang Yue achieved remarkable results last year. To maintain its leading position in the industry, it must continue to improve its level. The R&D plan was formulated by Xiang Mingzhang himself. Technology and business complement each other, so the initial market exploration takes a year.
At the beginning of this year, Xiang Mingzhang has significantly increased the energy he has given to old Xiang Yue, and now he is shouldering a heavy burden. One year later, the R&D department and the business department will work together, and he may not be able to handle everything, so Shen Ruozhen wants to share his worries.
Xiang Mingzhang said with peace of mind: "What position do you want?"
Shen Ruozhen didn't care much: "It's all right, we'll talk about it when the time comes."
Xiang Mingzhang immediately wanted to say, "Since you are used to working in the sales department, you should stay on the ninth floor. Feng Han is doing a good job, and we can't let him move out of the secretary's office, so you should go to the next door to the secretary's office."
Shen Ruozhen was slightly startled and reminded: "The next door is the office of the CEO."
"What's wrong?" Xiang Mingzhang smiled, "Don't you like my room?"
The meaning of this was too obvious. Shen Ruozhen was completely stunned. Before he could say anything, Xiang Mingzhang squeezed his hand so hard that it hurt. He brought up the past: "I said that becoming the director is your first step."
Shen Ruozhen did not forget, but he thought the target was Li Cangqiu's position. Then he realized that Xiang Mingzhang did not limit it to "Li Cangqiu" and "Yi Si" at all.
Could it be that Shen Ruozhen asked: "Have you already planned this?"
Xiang Mingzhang has always had a clear goal. He wants to be the boss of the old Xiang Yue, so he will not be able to take care of all aspects of Xiang Yue Communications. Compared with business, he will focus on technology research and development, and then hand over the operation work to the people he trusts the most.
"It's only a matter of time." Xiang Mingzhang coaxed and lied, "Besides, I'm not made of iron. If I don't give up anything, I can't guarantee that I will die young one day."
Shen Ruozhen said: "But are you sure you want to give it to me?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "This kind of thing is not a joke. Besides, President Shen is a master strategist and a hero in troubled times. How can he be inferior to others?"
Shen Ruozhen also looked up the old almanac: "You didn't say that when I was your secretary."
"I didn't know your identity at that time, and ignorance is innocent." Xiang Mingzhang said, "But let me make it clear first, if you are not competent, I will handle it impartially."
Shen Ruozhen's heart was stirring, he was nervous but not afraid: "Okay, I can issue a military order."
Xiang Mingzhang pinched his fingers, like the claws of a toy player, and said frivolously but seriously, "You will do well, I know."
After getting off the highway and entering the city, Shen Ruozhen said hello to Mrs. Chu, and he and Xiang Mingzhang returned to Bomanjia Apartment.
By the weekend, Shen Ruozhen had agreed and returned to the Chu family early in the morning.
Two or three months after moving out, everything in the house remained the same, except that Shen Ruozhen had changed his identity. Aunt Tang and Sister Xiu looked at him again and again, and even said in hindsight that they had long felt that he was someone else.
Shen Ruozhen laughed and felt relieved when he heard this, which meant that everyone did not become estranged.
Over a hot home-cooked meal with clear soup and rice, he announced his decision to leave Yisi after a year.
Mrs. Chu was not very surprised, as she had already heard Chu Shihui reveal it, but she was reluctant and responded hesitantly. In the end, she said nothing and lowered her head to pick up food for Shen Ruozhen.
She knew in her heart that Shen Ruozhen had done enough for the Chu family and Yisi. In the past, he was restricted by the identity of "Chu Shichen", but now that he has become himself, it is reasonable for him to seek a wider world.
As a mother, she should not hinder her son from moving forward, and she believes that her daughter is capable of taking over.
After lunch, Shen Ruozhen went upstairs. His bedroom was cleaned by Aunt Tang every day, keeping it tidy and clean. In the hot summer, she changed the bed sheets to a set of light-colored sheets.
Mrs. Chu followed. She was sad that Shen Ruozhen didn't take anything with him at that time. But now they are still a family and Shen Ruozhen lives outside, she changed her mind.
"Don't take the clothes away," she said. "Just leave them here. Mom will pick out new ones for you."
Shen Ruozhen knew that Mrs. Chu was concerned about him and hoped that he would come back often, so he agreed, "Okay, I won't take it."
Mrs. Chu was pleased and pretended to blame: "You can take the cigars away. We don't smoke them."
Shen Ruozhen pursed his lips and smiled. He was finally caught doing something bad. He said boldly, "They are all branded goods. I will pack them all in the suitcase."
Mrs. Chu smiled and said, "You don't need to use a box. People will think you are smuggling tobacco."
Shen Ruozhen explained: "I also need the suitcase. I have a business trip tomorrow."
Mrs. Chu turned around and felt sorry for him: "You have been busy with so many things in the past few months, and you have to go on a business trip again."
The four quarters of a year go by very quickly for a company. Shen Ruozhen has made a plan to not only stabilize the existing achievements but also to blaze new trails before he leaves.
Yisi once lost a large number of customers. It would be good if it could recover them, but in business cooperation, when two parties go their separate ways, there must be bad debts, either related to money or goods, or related to friendship.
There is a sentence engraved on the stele in Ningbo Money Industry Guild Hall: "Businesses spread all over the country". Shen Ruozhen has remembered it since he was a child.
He had to explore new things and wait for Yisi's performance and reputation to rebound, then it would be much easier to regain lost ground. However, to develop the market and business, he had to travel around.
Shen Ruozhen reviewed last year’s “Enterprise Application Integration” project. The bid was rejected the first time, but Yisi later completed it very well.
That project is just a pilot project in the pharmaceutical field. This year, pharmaceutical companies across the country will follow suit and significantly increase coverage.
Yisi has done pilot work as an example, which is equivalent to standing at the forefront of the trend. He will definitely seize this opportunity.
The plane tickets and hotel were booked, and Shen Ruozhen returned to Bomanjia Apartment in the afternoon to pack the clothes he wanted to take. He had always been accompanied by Xiang Mingzhang on business trips before, and this was the first time he brought his assistant out with him.
Xiang Mingzhang had just finished taking a shower, but he was too lazy to blow dry his hair because it was too hot, so his short hair and eyelashes were wet. As soon as he entered the room, he saw Shen Ruozhen admiring his ID card. It had been a while since he had had it, but he still couldn't let it go.
He walked closer and shook off the water droplets with a handful of hair.
Shen Ruozhen hissed in anger, snatched Xiang Mingzhang's towel to wipe it, and said seriously: "Don't get my ID card wet."
Xiang Mingzhang said with a smile: "I didn't know it was made of gold."
Shen Ruozhen said: "It is priceless."
While no one was paying attention, Ling Tuaner jumped into the suitcase on the floor, used his cat claws to scratch the knot of the satin bag, and took out Shen Ruozhen's seal.
Xiang Mingzhang asked: "Do you still bring the jade seal with you when you go on a business trip?"
"Where is it used?" Xiang Mingzhang reminded, "You didn't sign where you should sign, and printed 'Shen Ruozhen'. It has no validity, and others will be surprised."
Shen Ruozhen put the seal on himself, locked the box, and said, "I know what's going on."
The next morning, Xiang Mingzhang drove Shen Ruozhen to the airport, and the two parted at the security check.
Xiang Mingzhang had been to this terminal many times and was a little dazed. He remembered Shen Ruozhen chasing him and questioning him in public. He also remembered that they always drank a cup of black coffee when waiting for the flight together.
The last time he sent Shen Ruozhen here, the other party was still "Chu Shichen", his secretary, who was going to Harbin alone.
The hug was brief, and Xiang Mingzhang said, "Call me if you have anything."
Shen Ruozhen didn't say "yes" or "no". His name was printed on the boarding pass. He waved his hand and said, "Go back and drive carefully. I'm leaving."
The business trip was expected to last for a week. The day after Shen Ruozhen left, Xiang Mingzhang was busy until late at night when he returned home and took out a express package from the mailbox of the apartment residents.
Sender: Shen Ruozhen.
Xiang Mingzhang opened it in the elevator, and found that it contained a letter written to him by Shen Ruozhen.
From then on, whenever Shen Ruozhen went on a business trip, he would send a piece of plain white paper to Xiang Mingzhang.
The content is not long, with simplified Chinese characters and horizontal format, and it exudes a modern feel everywhere, except for the signature, which is printed with a square red seal in a nostalgic way.
Every letter always starts the same way -
I have arrived in Beijing, the sun is blazing, passing through Chang'an Avenue, recalling the past when I watched the flag-raising ceremony with you and greeted the sunrise.
Time has passed, but my thoughts are as turbulent as ever. That day, I silently told you my real name: I am Shen Ruozhen.
I recall a time when my eyes were dry, and you were not around, so there was no one to drop some medicine to moisten them for me.
Please don't worry about these half-page nonsense.
Ming Zhang saw the letter. The trip to Chongqing was long awaited.
Everything went well at work, and I had time to hike in the mountain city, which was a special kind of fun during the hard work.
After finding the Southwest Branch, I presented a gift to Director Qin Xi on behalf of my younger sister to thank her for her guidance during my internship last year, which is like a gift from a teacher.
In the evening, Director Qin hosted us for an authentic hotpot.
I don't like spicy food, but I can't refuse your kindness, so I have to choose red and white. I hope you understand.
I have arrived in Guangdong safely.
During the flight, I read carefully about the development history of Shenzhen and was deeply moved. I regret that I cannot personally experience the rapid changes, but I am fortunate to be able to witness an era of renewal today.
I ran into Zhai Feng at the meeting, and we sat together and had a great conversation. When it was getting dark, I called Ling Qi again. He had gone south to make a living and had a new look.
On a starry night, looking at the "Window of the World" together, my heart is suddenly enlightened.
Confucius said, "When three people walk together, there must be one who can be my teacher."
I am both your teacher and your friend, and I have no other intentions. I hope you don't think too much about it.
Ming Zhang saw the letter. We flew to Xiamen in the afternoon. The island scenery, the bright sunshine, and the dock streets and alleys are full of Nanyang style.
The official business went smoothly, and I had an extra half day to go to the provincial capital Fuzhou. The weather was hot and humid, so I strolled around the old Gulou District, West Lake Park, and Huaxiang Church, and all I saw was a leisurely scene.
The city is full of green banyan trees. I picked up a fallen root and sent it with this letter for you to enjoy.
Don't blame me for being poor, it's because I miss you so deeply.
Mingzhang saw the letter. He traveled to the two cities for three days and stayed in Suzhou first.
The clouds and mists gather, the rain falls, and the wind knocks on the bamboos. You and I are two hundred miles apart, and the train takes only half an hour.
The closer the journey is, the stronger my desire to return home becomes. It makes me feel unbearable to sleep alone. In the middle of the night, I can fall asleep in a dream and indulge in the fantasy of going to Wushan with you.
I woke up in a sweat, the room was cool, and I was surprised to find that it was autumn again.
As I pick up the pen, I am already in Yangzhou. I have drunk a cup of Green Yangchun and ate a bowl of shrimp noodles. My fatigue has eased and my blush has subsided, but I am still missing you in my heart and body.
Can you empathize with me and look forward to my return
It is not convenient to burn incense when you are away from home, and the plain paper sent only has the smell of ink. Xiang Mingzhang has already collected a stack of letters. He held the latest one and read it over and over again, even lowering his head to smell it.
He hardly smoked, but a letter from Shen Ruozhen made him an addict.
He was in Yangzhou when he wrote the letter and it would take a day to mail it. Xiang Mingzhang calculated the time and thought that if Shen Ruozhen finished his business and came back as soon as possible, it would only take about two hours by train.
The cell phone rang and Xiang Mingzhang answered it immediately.
Shen Ruozhen said gently: "Ming Zhang?"
His restless nerves were soothed, but he suddenly felt even more itchy. Xiang Mingzhang asked, "When will you be back?"
Shen Ruozhen was about to say this: "Sorry, the plan has changed."
Xiang Mingzhang asked: "What's wrong?"
Shen Ruozhen said: "After finishing my business, I plan to take a detour to Ningbo."
It was autumn, and Shen Zuorun's death anniversary was approaching. Xiang Mingzhang suppressed his personal feelings and asked, "Are you going alone, or with Old Lady Yao?"
"I myself." Shen Ruozhen replied, "I will go to the temple to burn incense for Butler Yao first, and then go to the cemetery. I want to build a tomb for my mother as well."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Okay, I understand."
Shen Ruozhen apologized, "Everything is done. I will be back two days later."
Before hanging up, Xiang Mingzhang said, "It's okay, I'll wait for you."
Shen Ruozhen bought a ticket for an early morning train, asked his assistant to go back first, and took the train to Ningbo alone the next day.
It was drizzling when he left the station and the road was wet, so he called a taxi and headed straight for the temple in the suburbs.
The weather was not good and it was not a holiday, so there were only a few tourists. Shen Ruozhen got off the car. The foot of the mountain was shrouded in a hazy mist. He didn't bring an umbrella, but he traveled light.
After walking a short distance, he raised his hand to wipe the water droplets on his coat, and then stopped his hand in mid-air.
A few meters away, in front of the stone steps leading to the temple, Xiang Mingzhang was holding an umbrella and looking at him, not knowing how long he had been waiting.
The author has something to say:
1. It’s too early to finish writing a chapter, so I’ll split it into two parts. 2. The clouds and mist gather, the rain falls, and the wind knocks on the bamboo. These are all names of ci tunes, and Ruozhen used them to indicate cloudy, rainy and windy weather.
(End of this chapter)