Xiang Mingzhang stood up suddenly, not knowing what to say. Every word he had just said had been made clear.
Chu Shichen looked at him for a few seconds, then threw the ID folder over the back of the sofa and said, "You dropped something."
After saying that, Chu Shichen turned and left.
Xiang Mingzhang chased out of Yunjiao. The sky was covered with thick clouds. The taxi stopped on the side of the road. Chu Shichen got in without looking back.
Xiang Mingzhang strode to the other side, opened the car door and got in.
The driver was a little confused. He looked between the two people and then chose to remain silent.
Chu Shichen sat upright, the dim light in the carriage casting a thin, steep and sharp light grey line on his brow bone and nose bridge.
He thought the music festival was over and Xingyu's matter had come to an end. He never expected that Xiang Mingzhang not only verbally warned him not to contact Xingyu, but also "sent him away" behind his back.
He had never been interested in knowing about Chu Shichen's past entanglements, let alone digging into them. However, Xiang Mingzhang was far-sighted and wanted to prevent him from revisiting the past with anyone.
Chu Shichen found this ridiculous and asked coldly, "Mr. Xiang, what do you mean by going to so much trouble?"
Since it has been discovered, instead of pretending to be righteous, it is better to be frank. Xiang Mingzhang said: "It depends on your opinion."
Chu Shichen said: "Then I am not worthy of your care, and I cannot accept this kind of care."
"Which one?" Xiang Mingzhang said unhappily, "You have lost your memory and don't remember anything. What's the problem with me asking those messy people to stay away from you?"
Chu Shichen replied: "Since I don't remember, why bother with this? Are you worried that I'll be deceived, or do you think from the bottom of your heart that I'm frivolous and can't change, and don't trust me?"
Xiang Mingzhang asked: "Are you angry with me now because of those insignificant people?"
"Should I thank you?" Chu Shichen said, "Thank you for dealing with those insignificant people. Then, the next step is to investigate me."
Xiang Mingzhang explained: "I also want to ask you directly, but you don't remember anything, so I can only ask someone for help."
Chu Shichen couldn't help but raise his voice: "Then why do you have to know?"
Xiang Mingzhang replied: "I want to know more about you."
There was a flash of panic in Chu Shichen's eyes. The pocket watch, experience, knowledge, everything Xiang Mingzhang tried to understand was contrary to the "Chu Shichen" of the past.
He clenched his fists, pierced his palms with his fingertips, cutting off the lines on his palms, and said, "I don't want you to understand me."
Xiang Mingzhang was stunned, his face suddenly became extremely ugly: "Chu Shichen, what did you say?"
The atmosphere in the car took a sharp turn for the worse. The expressions of the two people were almost frozen. The driver leaned against the back of the chair without moving, not even daring to breathe.
Chu Shichen slid his Adam's apple, and uttered each word with difficulty, and then packaged it in a decisive manner. He repeated: "I don't want to be understood by you, I hope you don't cross the line."
Xiang Mingzhang looked annoyed: "Isn't it too late to warn me now? Haven't we already crossed the line?"
Chu Shichen said in a deep voice: "That's it."
Xiang Mingzhang suppressed his anger and said, "Why, you want to draw a line between you and me?"
Chu Shichen said: "Yes."
"Okay." Xiang Mingzhang laughed arrogantly, "Then draw a line between Chu and Han and see if I will repent and make amends, or cross the river like an elephant."
Chu Shichen said: "Don't be so overbearing."
Xiang Mingzhang nodded: "Since you judge me like this, I accept it. I have my own ideas on what to do."
"Then give it a try. You can't decide everything." Chu Shichen was aroused by a fire that spread in his heart. "For example, this is the car I called. You get off."
Xiang Mingzhang's chest heaved as he stepped out of the car and slammed the door shut.
The driver was frightened and worried that the argument might turn into a fight, so he quickly locked the car door.
Chu Shichen said: "Drive."
The taxi started and drove away quickly. Before it reached the intersection, a rumble of thunder exploded in the sky. In an instant, there was a crackling sound and raindrops fell, hitting the window.
The driver glanced at the rearview mirror outside the car. The figure on the roadside was getting smaller and smaller in the rain, but it didn't move at all. In the rearview mirror, Chu Shichen lowered his head tiredly and his face could not be seen clearly.
It was pouring rain with thunder and lightning. When Mrs. Chu got home, she was standing outside the gate with an umbrella.
Chu Shichen got out of the car: "Mom, why are you staying outside in such heavy rain? Be careful not to catch a cold."
Mrs. Chu came forward and said, "It's okay. But why did you come back so late? Was your flight delayed?"
Chu Shichen dragged the luggage with one hand and took the umbrella handle with the other hand. He tilted the umbrella edge towards Mrs. Chu and said, "I did something after getting off the plane and was delayed."
Mrs. Chu tacitly agreed that it was business, but she noticed that her son was in a low mood, so she asked, "Is it okay?"
"It's a small matter." Chu Shichen forced a smile, "Sorry, Mom, I didn't buy a gift."
Mrs. Chu coaxed, "That's not a big deal. My son has been very tired on his business trip, so he certainly doesn't have time to go around Beijing."
Chu Shichen didn't say anything. He went shopping and was so happy. It was obvious that it happened just this morning.
After entering the villa and putting away the umbrella, Chu Shichen's right shoulder was wet, and water dripped onto the stairs. He went back to his room, into the cloakroom, and changed his clothes.
After putting on his clothes, Chu Shichen stood in front of the mirror and smoothed his collar, staring at the face in the mirror.
Only he himself knew that he was most panicked when he heard Xiang Mingzhang's words in Yunjiao and when he was arguing with Xiang Mingzhang in the car.
When Xiang Mingzhang said he wanted to understand him, he felt a surge of panic. He was afraid that Xiang Mingzhang would find clues, and he was even more afraid that Xiang Mingzhang had already become suspicious.
Chu Shichen regretted it. He forgot his limits time and time again, and uncontrollably got closer and closer to Xiang Mingzhang. He also crossed the line.
Xiang Mingzhang is meticulous and shrewd, so it is hard to guarantee that he will not be aware of his "weirdness". Has he noticed something in the details
If Xiang Mingzhang finds out that he is not "Chu Shichen", how should he explain his identity
Chu Shichen couldn't imagine what the consequences would be. His body swayed and he raised his hands to support himself on the mirror. Xuanwu Lake, the music festival, Tiananmen Gate, in the new century, Xiang Mingzhang was with him in every place he longed for.
That's all.
Chu Shichen put down his hand, leaving a wet palm print on the mirror. A lifeless piece of glass would be marked in a moment. What should he do with human heart
How to stop here
The rain came suddenly, soaking the entire city, and then stopped in the middle of the night.
The forecast for the next day was cloudy but then sunny. Chu Shichen got up and opened the curtains. There was half a cigar left on the table. He rolled it up in a tissue and took it out to throw it away, leaving a hint of smoke on his fingers.
As the temperature dropped, Xiang Yue's security guards changed into autumn and winter uniforms. Early in the morning, the hot steam from brewing tea and coffee in the tea room never stopped.
Chu Shichen was too lazy to join in the fun, so he just finished his official business and stayed in the secretary's office.
The door of the president's office was locked and Xiang Mingzhang did not come to work.
The meeting started at ten o'clock. At nine-fifty-five, Chu Shichen could no longer sit still. He checked the system and found no notification of cancellation or postponement of the meeting. He came out of the secretary's office and ran into Peng Xin.
Chu Shichen said: "Director Peng, the originally scheduled meeting..."
Peng Xin said, "I just came to call you to a meeting, let's go."
Chu Shichen asked: "Is everyone here?"
"I didn't hear anyone asked for leave." Peng Xin walked out in a hurry. "Mr. Xiang went directly to the meeting room and asked me to call someone. I was wondering why he didn't let you do it."
Chu Shichen followed Xiang Mingzhang to the conference room. As expected, he was there and was reading a document. As the seats at the table filled up, he raised his head slowly.
Chu Shichen's seat was next to Xiang Mingzhang, half an arm's length farther away than usual.
Mr. Xiang and Secretary Chu each have fine facial features, Xiang Mingzhang is more heroic while Chu Shichen is more elegant, but they both have the same poker face.
There was zero communication or contact between the two of them, and their peripheral vision seemed to have automatically turned away.
Coincidentally, both men were well-dressed, wearing gray tweed suits. Xiang Mingzhang's black satin tie was shiny, and Chu Shichen's shirt was even whiter.
One can't help but suspect that they had a rift because they wore the same clothes.
We have a new project to discuss today, so no one dares to slack off. Peng Xin was so nervous that he drank half a bottle of water in just five minutes to calm himself.
Xiang Mingzhang's voice was a little hoarse, and his words were concise and to the point.
The meeting mainly discussed three topics. First, the members of the project selection group were determined, led by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and composed of representatives from local departments.
The selection team's evaluation determines the direction and outcome of the project. From the person in charge to each team member, they must have a thorough understanding and determine the key targets for contact.
Secondly, the division of labor within the project.
Peng Xin prepared a team list for the project team. The sales department has a strict rule that at least one grassroots salesperson must participate in any project. The first is to integrate business training into daily life and improve through accumulation, and the second is to avoid a "talent gap" in the sales team in terms of experience, performance and ability.
Finally, the business department is currently in the stage of leading the charge, while the R&D center is cooperating and conducting simulated trial and error at any time based on the adjustment of the plan.
The meeting was completed in an orderly manner. At noon, Xiang Mingzhang looked at the list of the selection group thoughtfully, made a few strokes, and said, "Let's adjourn the meeting."
But until the president stood up, no one dared to move.
Just when I was at a loss, Chu Shichen closed his computer and left the table.
Peng Xin followed and said, "Secretary Chu, are you free? Let's go to the restaurant for lunch together."
Chu Shichen agreed: "Okay, I'll put my things down first."
Xiang Mingzhang looked up. The inner wall of the conference room was a huge rainbow glass. Chu Shichen turned out and his figure became blurry until he disappeared.
Xiang Mingzhang stayed alone for a while. He had no appetite for lunch and didn't want to go back to the office. He took out the access card to the first-level computer room from his bag and planned to spend the afternoon in the R&D center.
The poetry collection was still in the bag. Xiang Mingzhang took it out and went to the library first.
The staff was counting the bookshelves next to the self-service machine and said attentively, "Mr. Xiang, do you want to return a book? Leave it to me."
Xiang Mingzhang handed it over and turned and left.
Just after walking three or four meters, the employee caught up with me and said, "Mr. Xiang, there is a piece of paper stuck in the book. Do you want it?"
Xiang Mingzhang took it and found a rectangular note with elegant handwriting: Thank you for taking me to see Tiananmen. This is the happiest day of my life.
Xiang Mingzhang was stunned. The happiest day...
What was Chu Shichen's mood when he left Yunjiao, as he wrote these words on the plane
When you ignored him today, did you still remember to say "thank you"
Xiang Mingzhang left clutching the note. Passing by the scenic lake, he saw a familiar figure. By the lake, Chu Shichen was feeding Huang Qiucui with a piece of bread.
There was a piece of cooked salmon on the bench. After taking two bites, Chu Shichen broke the bread into pieces and threw it away. He turned around and saw Xiang Mingzhang standing in the shadow of a tree a few steps away.
As soon as they had a falling out, their tacit understanding became enemies.
At the meeting, Peng Xin reported the team list, but Xiang Mingzhang looked very bad, so Peng Xin was unsure and asked Chu Shichen about the boss's attitude.
After chatting for a while, Chu Shichen felt that the restaurant was too noisy, so he took his lunch to the lakeside for some quiet time.
Meeting the person he wanted to avoid the most at this moment, Chu Shichen didn't want to stay any longer and went straight to pick up the lunch boxes on the bench.
At this moment, with a "meow", a wild cat jumped out from the bushes and jumped onto the chair.
Chu Shichen quickly stopped his movements. There were many wild cats in the huge park. This one was pure white. It was small in size but very bold. It was stealing food blatantly.
There used to be a Persian cat at home with green eyes. Its name was Lingtuaner. Chu Shichen bent down while thinking about it and couldn't help but reach out to touch it.
Unexpectedly, the wild cat was very powerful and scratched him fiercely with its claws.
"Hiss..."
Before Chu Shichen could stand up, Xiang Mingzhang walked over quickly, grabbed his wrist, and said seriously, "Let me see."
Most of his palm was held by Xiang Mingzhang's big hand. Chu Shichen struggled, but Xiang Mingzhang held it tighter and said, "If you get scratched by a wild cat, you need to get an injection. Don't move."
There was no bleeding on the back of Chu Shichen's hand, just a little red and swollen. He said, "If I need an injection, I will get it myself."
But Xiang Mingzhang still didn't let go. He paused for two seconds, then used brute force to pull Chu Shichen closer and said, "How old are we? Do we have to have such a childish cold war?"
Chu Shichen said: "It might be good for both of us to be a little more distant."
Xiang Mingzhang asked: "You said to cross the line, and you said to distance yourself from me, so who is the boss?"
Chu Shichen refused to give in: "I told you, you can't decide everything."
"Okay, Master Chu is capable." Xiang Mingzhang said, shaking out the note, "So this is how you thank me, huh?"
Chu Shichen raised his eyes and saw the black words written by him. Xiang Mingzhang's breathing was very close to him, panting slightly, as if he was holding an IOU to collect a debt from him.
Should he deny the debt or offset the two
Unexpectedly, Xiang Mingzhang did not press him, but said in a hoarse voice: "We were not familiar with each other in the past, what I care about is the present."
"I don't distrust you. I distrust the people you used to associate with. Otherwise, why would I spend time and energy investigating and getting rid of them? They have nothing to do with me. Wouldn't it be much easier for me to just deal with you?"
"I want to know what you like and what you are good at. I can give you things you like and take you to places you want to go. Is that wrong?"
"If it's wrong, what's the point of the words on this note?"
Xiang Mingzhang pulled Chu Shichen closer, not knowing if the other party could hear his gritting teeth: "Say it again now, we'll draw a line, and I'll let you go immediately."
Chu Shichen's heart was beating fast. He raised his face, and his forehead touched the tip of Xiang Mingzhang's nose. God was so fair. He was not the first to give in, but he was the one who admitted defeat.
Chu Shichen asked helplessly: "What do you want me to do?"
After confirming that he didn't say that, Xiang Mingzhang breathed a sigh of relief: "I should be the one asking you. You kicked me out of the car in front of strangers and threw me on the street. Isn't it enough to vent your anger in such heavy rain?"
Chu Shichen's palms were covered with sweat: "Are you wet?"
Xiang Mingzhang lowered his head and gently bumped into him: "It's soaked."
Chu Shichen said: "Why don't you hide?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "I want to see if you can stop the car."
Chu Shichen said: "No."
"How cruel." Xiang Mingzhang asked, "Then how are you going to compensate me?"
Chu Shichen's mind was a little confused, and he didn't react to why he was asked to compensate. Then Xiang Mingzhang showed a triumphant smile and pulled him hard for the last time.
Unexpectedly, Chu Shichen was embraced by Xiang Mingzhang.
Chu Shichen felt pain when his chin hit his shoulder. He raised his hand to touch Xiang Mingzhang but only touched Xiang Mingzhang's broad back.
The cat ate the salmon and the fish blew bubbles in the lake.
The bubbles burst in the autumn light after the cloudy sky turned clear, as if exploding in the ears, making the heart roar.
(End of this chapter)