The driver came up with the suitcase and found the door open. When he reached the door, he saw Xiang Mingzhang and Chu Shichen standing face to face in the entrance. He asked in surprise, "Mr. Xiang, Secretary Chu?"
Chu Shichen suddenly woke up from his dream. He turned his head away and calmed down for a few seconds. When he raised his head again, he looked normal, except that his eyes were moist as if covered with a layer of mist.
Xiang Mingzhang was suspicious and said to the driver, "It's none of your business. Go ahead."
The driver pushed the suitcase into the door and said apologetically, "It's getting late. Do you need to send Secretary Chu home?"
Chu Shichen said: "No need."
The driver wisely left and the door closed. Xiang Mingzhang asked again, "What's wrong with you?"
Chu Shichen held the square box tightly in both hands, and almost gritted his teeth when he spoke each word: "Where did you find this pocket watch?"
Xiang Mingzhang replied: "Switzerland."
Chu Shichen was surprised: "Why is it in—"
Xiang Mingzhang frowned and hissed. He had been holding on for the whole night and now his stomach began to cramp violently. He arched his back and took a breath.
Chu Shichen helped Xiang Mingzhang into the bedroom and lifted a corner of the thin blanket. Xiang Mingzhang lay half-lying with his clothes on, using his remaining strength to untie his tie and unbutton two shirt buttons.
Chu Shichen asked: "Where is the medicine?"
Xiang Mingzhang said hoarsely: "The living room cabinet."
Chu Shichen was willing to open the box and put it on the bedside table. He went to the living room to find stomach medicine, then made a cup of honey water and brought it in. He sat beside the bed and gave it to Xiang Mingzhang to drink.
The sweetness of honey covered the bitterness of the medicine. Xiang Mingzhang said, "This medicine works very quickly. If there is anything, I will call the housekeeper of the apartment. You can go back now."
Chu Shichen was silent for a while: "No, I have to take care of you."
Xiang Mingzhang didn't hear a trace of concern, but instead had the illusion of being forced. He leaned against the cushion and asked in a relaxed manner: "Then how are you going to take care of me?"
Chu Shichen recalled the time when he was sick in the past. Usually, the old housekeeper took care of him, so he should be able to do the same. He got up and went to the bathroom to wring out a wet towel, folded it and put it on Xiang Mingzhang's forehead.
Xiang Mingzhang said: "I have a stomach ulcer, not a fever."
Chu Shichen was a little embarrassed, so he took off the towel and made an excuse to cover up: "I know you've been traveling across the country all day, and you're exhausted. Please wipe your face."
Xiang Mingzhang raised his hand to grab it, fearing that this young master would use the same method as he used to rub the medicated wine on him and make his skin bald.
Chu Shichen freed his hands and reached into the blanket absentmindedly: "Then I'll help you rub your stomach."
He covered his wet palm with his shirt, still cold. Xiang Mingzhang said, "This is the liver."
Chu Shichen frowned and groped, rubbing Xiang Mingzhang's abdominal muscles like wiping a table. When he found his stomach, he pressed his palm down and his eyes involuntarily drifted towards the box.
Xiang Mingzhang saw everything. He deliberately opened the box and took out the pocket watch, attracting Chu Shichen's attention firmly, like seducing a cat with a feather stick.
A cat would stretch out its claws to grab it, but Chu Shichen was too gentlemanly and rubbed his palms twice more.
Xiang Mingzhang finally couldn't help himself: "I'm not used to you being so attentive."
Chu Shichen pulled out his hand, hooked the long chain around his fingertips twice, and blatantly snatched the pocket watch from Xiang Mingzhang. When they fell into the sea together, he thought he would never find it again.
"I bought it in an antique watch shop in Zurich. The owner's great-grandfather was a craftsman who made pocket watches," said Xiang Mingzhang.
The boss bought this pocket watch at the grocery market at the port two months ago. Its origin is unknown, but it is definitely an old item.
Chu Shichen had never seen Xiang Mingzhang wearing a pocket watch, so he asked, "Why did you buy it?"
"I told you when we talked that night that I think it's very beautiful." Xiang Mingzhang said, "Among so many watches, this one has the most special pattern."
Chu Shichen held it in both hands and looked at it carefully. The dial looked a little old and the color of the twisted wire chain was a little dark.
This pocket watch took a lot of effort to make. At that time, the popular carved patterns were flowers, totems and auspicious beasts. Silver is already too plain and elegant, and a "swastika" pattern engraved on it makes it seem more pure and auspicious.
He remembered that his father traveled across the ocean to bring it back for him and asked him worriedly if he liked it.
The mother took off her beloved twisted wire necklace and asked the craftsman to tie the pearl clasp to the pocket watch, which was a gift from both her and my father.
He understood that his family had been dealing with money for generations, and when he grew up and joined Fuhua Bank, the strong temptation of gold bar positions and legal tender bonds would paralyze him or make him lost. At the very least, he would be tainted with the smell of money.
Therefore, the cover of the watch is engraved with the "卍" pattern on the chest of gods and Buddhas, which means both cleansing and protection.
This pocket watch made in Switzerland has accompanied him through millions of days and nights, and has gone through the ups and downs of life and death. Now, time has turned upside down, and it has returned to his hands from Switzerland again.
Is it just a coincidence or an arrangement by fate
The old dream was up and down, and it had a profound meaning. Chu Shichen opened his mouth shyly: "I have an unreasonable request. Are you willing to give me a price and give it to me?"
Xiang Mingzhang asked: "Do you like it?"
Chu Shichen said: "Yes."
Xiang Mingzhang recalled Chu Shichen's reaction when he first saw the pocket watch. That look was definitely more than just liking it. It seemed like there was some connection. He guessed, "Have you seen this watch?"
Chu Shichen suppressed his panic and denied, "No... we just hit it off."
Xiang Mingzhang was not so easily deceived, so he deliberately asked, "What if I don't allow you to?"
Chu Shichen's mouth was tight, and he tried to say calmly: "Please."
Xiang Mingzhang was slightly stunned that Chu Shichen would actually beg him.
He was sure that this pocket watch was extraordinary.
After thinking for a moment, Xiang Mingzhang said, "Sorry, I don't want to give it up."
Chu Shichen fell into great loss, motionless, without blinking.
He was silent, at a loss. Emotionally, he couldn't bear to give up his beloved thing, but logically, it was rude enough to ask for it, and Xiang Mingzhang had the right to refuse.
After a long while, Chu Shichen reluctantly returned it with both hands, and said persistently: "If one day you don't like it anymore, I'm willing to buy it."
Xiang Mingzhang took it: "Okay."
Xiang Mingzhang was a little worried, so after Chu Shichen left the house, he called the apartment front desk to arrange a special car.
Xiang Mingzhang stroked the sharp corner of the box, not understanding why Chu Shichen was so distracted. What hidden story was there
Before going on a business trip, in the company cafeteria, he heard Chu Shichen and Ling Qi chatting and said that they liked wearing pocket watches.
This gift brought back from Switzerland was originally…
But Chu Shichen's reaction was beyond his expectations, and he changed his mind against his will.
Whether it's cunning or selfish, it's not difficult to please someone temporarily. Xiang Mingzhang left the watch because he wanted Chu Shichen to worry about him.
After returning home, Chu Shichen felt exhausted both physically and mentally after taking a shower. He lay on the pillow, extremely tired but unable to fall asleep, and advised himself to be more positive.
Anyway, the pocket watch was found.
Xiang Mingzhang was the first person he met during this period of time and space, and the old item was found by Xiang Mingzhang. Isn’t this a kind of fate
Chu Shichen buried his head in the pillow and nodded, saying sullenly, "It's a bad fate."
When I went to work on Monday, the president's office was locked, and Xiang Mingzhang went to have a meeting with Lao Xiang Yue.
Chu Shichen was working at his desk in the secretary's office when suddenly cheers rang out in the office area, as if something big and happy had happened.
Peng Xin didn't even knock on the door, and rushed in: "Secretary Chu!"
Chu Shichen was startled: "Director Peng, what's the matter?"
Peng Xin was excited: "Xiang Yue won the bid! It was announced five minutes ago that we won the Lixin Bank project!"
Chu Shichen's brows relaxed slightly, thinking that all his efforts for so long had finally paid off. Next, he would prepare to draft the signing contract and would need to hold a meeting with the Legal Department to discuss it.
Without further ado, Chu Shichen arranged a meeting room for the project team.
The legal department is on the fourth floor. Chu Shichen went there in person to finalize the specific person in charge with the supervisor. The company attached great importance to this project and all departments cooperated very well.
The Human Resources Department is downstairs. Once the contract is signed, colleagues in the project team will definitely have vacations, and there will also be bonuses, promotions and other rewards. Chu Shichen went to get some application forms.
After several interactions, he and the head of the human resources department have become familiar with each other and they would chat a little more each time.
There were a lot of documents on the table. Chu Shichen asked, "Manager Jiang, are you busy today?"
"There's always a lot of messes anyway." Manager Jiang complained with a smile, "We've integrated our system with Yisi's, and the R&D department has to optimize it from time to time. There's nothing we can do but wait for them to finish."
Chu Shichen asked sharply, "Are there any personnel changes at Yisi?"
Manager Jiang said: "A manager in the Finance Department resigned."
Chu Shichen had a half-intuitive and half-premonition answer: "Is it Ren Meng?"
Manager Jiang nodded: "Yes, that's the name."
All sorts of speculations lingered in his mind for a moment. Chu Shichen did not dare to make any rash judgments. Before leaving, he asked, "Have you done the resignation interview?"
Director Jiang said: "No, let's wait until the system is restored."
Chu Shichen returned to the sales department with a stack of forms. The celebratory atmosphere subsided. Ling Qi pointed to the president's office at him, like an enthusiastic classmate who informed him that "the head teacher is here".
But there was no one in the president's office.
Chu Shichen returned to his secretary's office and opened the door. Xiang Mingzhang came in at some point. He was standing beside the desk in a neat suit, playing with the orchid on the corner of the table with his fingers.
After two days of rest, Xiang Mingzhang was fully recovered. He went to Lao Xiangyue to attend the regular meeting early in the morning. Not long after he came back, he said, "Your tablet fell in the car, I brought it up for you."
Chu Shichen said: "Thank you."
The page stopped at the content of the day when I was picked up at the airport. It turned out not to be a novel. Xiang Mingzhang asked: "Just for a dinner, did you check the personal information of every director?"
Chu Shichen replied: "I promised to accompany you, so I have to be loyal to the emperor. I can't pour wine or serve food, but I can still cater to his preferences and chat with him."
Xiang Mingzhang had seen it with his own eyes. He raised his chin towards the huge shopping bag on the table and said, "Your tie has been washed and is in there."
Chu Shichen walked over and placed a thick stack of forms on the edge of the table. At the bottom was a copy of Ren Meng's resignation report, with a diagnosis certificate for a respiratory disease attached.
He asked, "I just went to the Human Resources Department. How long will it take to optimize the system today?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Xiang Yue and Yisi were originally two independent systems with different design focuses. They are unstable after interaction, so it will be a bit troublesome. It will take at least one to two days to complete."
Chu Shichen had an idea in mind and changed the subject: "Are you feeling better? Does your stomach still hurt?"
Xiang Mingzhang thought Chu Shichen would be concerned about the pocket watch, but unexpectedly he was concerned about his health. He replied, "It's nothing serious. Thank you for taking care of me that night."
Chu Shichen changed the subject again: "Does it count as overtime?"
Xiang Mingzhang was stunned: "... Forget it."
Chu Shichen said: "Then I have to work too much overtime outside of work hours, so I want to take two days off."
Xiang Mingzhang: “…”
Coming out of the secretary's office, Xiang Mingzhang realized belatedly that he had been tricked by Chu Shichen's "concern". He was about to go into the office, but he paused and turned to go to the tea room to make himself some coffee.
Chu Shichen had two extra days off, so he went behind the table to pack his things. The bag on the table was very much in the way.
He had been wondering why a tie needed such a big bag. When he looked down, he found a sealed insulated box hidden under the bag.
Chu Shichen vaguely smelled a familiar sweetness. He opened the box and found it was full of lychees.
The author has something to say:
Xiang Mingzhang: Are you free tomorrow
Chu Shichen: What are you doing
Xiang Mingzhang: Come and appreciate the watch.
Chu Shichen: I’m busy.
(End of this chapter)