Chu Shichen slept soundly and dreamlessly that night. Every time he was on a business trip and did not have Canaan incense to help him sleep, he could not sleep well. This night he seemed to smell a faint woody fragrance.
Chu Shichen woke up at dawn and lay flat with his head tilted to one side. He opened his eyes and saw Xiang Mingzhang's Adam's apple.
Chu Shichen had never imagined what it would be like to sleep in the same bed with another man. The last time he got drunk and acted ridiculously, he was the only one left when he woke up. Even if he used his imagination to imagine a few things, he couldn't imagine the specific posture with his limited experience.
Experiencing this personally at this moment, Chu Shichen put his arm around his waist. Even in his relaxed sleep state, Xiang Mingzhang still held him as still as a mountain.
After all, he had practiced Wing Chun, so he secretly praised and criticized it.
Xiang Mingzhang moved a little and woke up. His first reaction was to raise his hand to touch Chu Shichen's forehead to confirm that he didn't have a fever, but then his hand fell back to his waist.
Chu Shichen couldn't open it, so he said, "I'm going to get up."
Xiang Mingzhang hugged him and turned him to the side: "Sleep for another ten minutes."
Chu Shichen raised his head and touched Xiang Mingzhang's chin. He smelled the faint scent again. He asked curiously, "What did you apply?"
"Hmm?" Xiang Mingzhang thought about it. It was the bottle of aftershave. "Does it smell good?"
Chu Shichen said: "Like the incense I burn."
Xiang Mingzhang specially picked the scent and brought it with him on purpose. He deliberately applied a little after taking a shower and now pretended to say casually, "Burning incense is not environmentally friendly, do you know?"
Chu Shichen: "Oh, what should we do then?"
Xiang Mingzhang opened Chu Shichen's pajamas and pinched his flexible waist: "You can come closer to me, I'll let you smell it."
It was early morning, Chu Shichen endured the numbness and pain from the bullying. He raised his hand to pinch Xiang Mingzhang's fragile throat, pushed him away a little bit, and said, "Just get closer? I thought I was going to set you on fire."
Xiang Mingzhang smiled frivolously: "Strangling someone's neck in bed, have you ever done this before?"
Chu Shichen didn’t understand. Was his strength too weak? Was this considered a joke
Xiang Mingzhang added: "You want to burn me too? How do you burn me? By dripping candles?"
Chu Shichen was completely confused: "What do you mean?"
"Should I ask you, did you have any special fetishes in the past?" Xiang Mingzhang suspected, but he was an outsider, so he asked simply, "Are you an S or a M?"
Chu Shichen was confused: "What S, what M, I only know CEO."
Xiang Mingzhang hugged Chu Shichen tightly, cleared his throat, and spoke in a hoarse voice: "I don't think you have the ability. Your fingers can't bear it. It's more likely that Master Chu will become the CEO."
Chu Shichen understood what was said, and was so ashamed and angry that he said "shameless".
Chu Shichen broke free from Xiang Mingzhang's arms, got out of bed, went into the bathroom and splashed some cold water on his face. Just as his temperature dropped a little, Xiang Mingzhang came in wearing a bathrobe and stood beside him as he washed his face and brushed his teeth.
The perfume bottle had been empty all night, and Xiang Mingzhang finally found the space to pick it up. Chu Shichen glanced around the floor, then bent over to pick up another cufflink that had fallen.
In the mirror, Chu Shichen's complexion recovered a little. He followed the plan and sought forgiveness at all costs to resolve Zhou Kesen's knot. Later, he felt more confident in asking Zhou Kesen to return to Yisi.
After two days of delay, Chu Shichen said, "I plan to meet with Mr. Zhou later to have a formal talk."
Xiang Mingzhang rinsed his mouth. He had not talked to Zhou Kesen since he came to Harbin. He agreed, "Okay, let's meet him together, which will show more sincerity."
Chu Shichen called Zhou Kesen and made an appointment to meet at a restaurant.
After changing their clothes, Xiang Mingzhang and Chu Shichen went out to keep their appointment. The restaurant was located in the bustling Daoli District and had been open for many years. From the window, one could enjoy a view of the charming Central Street.
Zhou Kesen arrived early and ordered a few signature snacks first.
Chu Shichen hadn't had a proper meal these days, and he knew that Zhou Kesen was worried about him. The atmosphere was just right, and he said, "Uncle Sen, snacks alone are not enough."
Zhou Kesen said: "Don't worry, I won't let you go hungry. I remember you like beef?"
Chu Shichen didn't like eating and said, "I forgot."
Zhou Kesen never asked about the accident, and asked in confusion: "You have forgotten everything about your amnesia? What do you like to eat, what do you like to drink, and you don't even remember your physical tendencies?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "I don't even remember my own habits."
Chu Shichen was startled, picked up the teapot and poured half a cup for Xiang Mingzhang, saying, "Mr. Xiang, Harbin's tea is very good, please have some tea."
Xiang Mingzhang sniffed it and said, "This is Longjing, the tea from West Lake."
Zhou Kesen forgot his previous question, asked the waiter to take the order, and said, "It's my treat today. You came all the way to Harbin, so I have to do my part as a good host."
Xiang Mingzhang picked up the teacup in a gentlemanly manner, raised it to the air, and hinted, "Thank you for your expense, Mr. Zhou. When we get back, it will be my turn to treat you."
Chu Shichen understood immediately and said, "Uncle Sen, go back and see Yisi."
Zhou Kesen stroked the pattern on the tablecloth and pondered for a moment. After all, he was not good at beating around the bush: "To be honest, Yisi belongs to Xiang Yue now. Everything is different now."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "If I wanted Yisi to become a complete subordinate, I wouldn't have invited you again and again."
Chu Shichen said, "Uncle Sen, you once resigned to help my father work hard, purely out of friendship. Now I shamelessly ask you to go back, but it's different from the past, because Yisi already has your hard work."
Zhou Kesen said: "So many years have passed, and I am getting older."
Chu Shichen gently retorted: "Four years, if you think it's long, then don't delay any longer. If you think it's not long, then don't hesitate any longer."
Zhou Kesen said: "I didn't know you were so good at talking before."
"Nothing will not change. I have changed too." Chu Shichen said, "Times have changed. You have grown older naturally, but Xiao Hui has become a big girl all of a sudden."
Zhou Kesen smiled a little, but more of a pity: "When Chu Zhe left, Xiao Hui was just in high school."
Chu Shichen said, "She will graduate from college next year. Like you, she is studying computer science. When she came here, she asked me to say hello to you."
He entrusted a pair of children to his care. At that time, Chu Shihui was too young, so Zhou Kesen devoted all his energy to the bastard Chu Shichen. Unfortunately, he failed to take good care of him and let Chu Zhe down.
Before leaving, Zhou Kesen said goodbye to the statue at the Yisi Conference Center. Everyone thought he was venting his complaints and cursing, but in fact, the last sentence he left was a helpless "sorry".
Chu Shichen persuaded him in an orderly manner, moved him with emotion, tempted him with career, and poked Zhou Kesen's soft spot everywhere. He called "Uncle Sen" again, and said sincerely: "Go back to Yisi, okay?"
Zhou Kesen took a deep breath and took a big sip of hot tea. The snow-capped mountains melted and the glaciers loosened. He sighed as if he had made up his mind, then nodded.
Chu Shichen smiled, feeling relieved. Everything he had done in Harbin was worth it.
The dishes were laid out on the table, and the three of them toasted their glasses with tea instead of wine. Zhou Kesen said, "Eat more. You've lost weight in the past two days. Your mother will be worried when you get home."
Chu Shichen picked up a piece of pork ribs and said, "I didn't tell my family about my illness, Uncle Sen, remember to keep it a secret for me."
Chu Shichen said jokingly: "After falling into the sea once, I became braver."
Zhou Kesen recalled something and smiled, "One year I was on a business trip with your dad, and your mom called to say you had acute appendicitis and needed an appendectomy. We rushed to the hospital right after we got off the plane, and you were lying in bed, groaning and making so much trouble. I didn't expect you to be so strong now."
Xiang Mingzhang listened at the side and felt very disconnected. He could not imagine the Chu Shichen described.
The cell phone rang. It was the landline number of the Xiang family mansion. Xiang Mingzhang left the table temporarily and said, "Excuse me, I have to go answer the phone."
Chu Shichen and Zhou Kesen were left facing each other at the table. The previous topic was suspended. Zhou Kesen put down his chopsticks and suddenly said, "Zhai Feng told me about the bid."
Chu Shichen was silent for two seconds after hearing this. It had been so long, and he had no extra emotions about it. He asked, "How is Team Leader Zhai doing?"
"He's a good guy," Zhou Kesen said. "He's doing this project for the pharmaceutical company to help me get back what I did back then."
Chu Shichen nodded and answered slowly: "I understand."
Zhou Kesen said: "He has been following me since he joined the company. He felt very sorry for me, so he did this before leaving Yisi. It is probably the most outrageous thing he has ever done in his life."
The more Chu Shichen thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong: "Uncle Sen, was it Zhai Feng's idea to change the bid?"
Zhou Kesen nodded: "Yes, he later told me that you have changed a lot, but I still didn't believe it."
As he was talking, Xiang Mingzhang came back from a phone call. He sat down and noticed that no one was eating. He asked, "What's up? Are you all full?"
Chu Shichen looked at Xiang Mingzhang, his gaze lingering for a long time: "Eat a little more."
Xiang Mingzhang filled half a bowl of soup and revealed some details of the cultural and tourism project while drinking it. Zhou Kesen was very interested and the two exchanged some technical views.
In addition to communication, it was also a test. Xiang Mingzhang felt relieved that Zhou Kesen's views were not outdated and were practical. It was obvious that he had not stopped studying during the years when he faded out of the limelight.
All three of them were action-oriented, and they finally agreed that Zhou Kesen would finish Ying'an's work as soon as possible and then return to Yisi.
Xiang Mingzhang and Chu Shichen are very busy with work and cannot delay for too long, so they should go back first and they will send someone to help when the time comes.
After Zhou Kesen returned and settled everything, he brought his parents over.
After dinner, Zhou Kesen drove away. Xiang Mingzhang and Chu Shichen walked along Central Avenue. After eating and drinking their fill and letting the dust settle, they felt particularly relaxed.
This street was so beautiful, like a concrete century-old dream, that Chu Shichen dared not speak loudly, and could only whisper: "Mr. Xiang, I have a question."
Xiang Mingzhang also suppressed his emotions: "What's your question?"
Chu Shichen said: "Is it Zhai Feng's idea that the pharmaceutical company change the bid?"
Xiang Mingzhang paused, guessing that it was Zhou Kesen who said that, and replied, "I forgot."
"But I remember." Chu Shichen said, "You said you bribed Zhai Feng and used me. You also said that Zhai Feng didn't agree at first. In fact, Zhai Feng wanted to vent his anger for Uncle Sen, to slap Li Cangqiu in the face, and to teach me a lesson."
No wonder Li Zangqiu didn't pursue the matter or investigate it in detail, because the whole thing was exactly the same as it was back then, and he had something to hide and didn't want to dig up the old case.
Xiang Mingzhang initially planned to transfer Zhai Feng back to the R&D department, but Zhai Feng refused. He had seen what happened to Zhou Kesen and had endured enough hardship over the years. He wanted to go to Shenzhen to reunite with his wife and her family.
Xiang Mingzhang did not force it, wrote a letter of recommendation for admission, and promised to let Zhai Feng join Xiang Yue's branch. Then he learned about Zhou Kesen's past from Zhai Feng.
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Some things can be judged by deeds and intentions, but it is not easy to judge right or wrong. I reserve my opinion on Zhai Feng's approach."
Tourists were chatting and laughing all around, and Chu Shichen took a step closer: "I don't blame Zhai Feng, I'm asking you, why did you hide it and let me misunderstand you all the time?"
Xiang Mingzhang replied: "Zhai Feng is an employee and I am the president. There is no risk if I am a little "bad". There is another reason. Do you remember that when you questioned me by the plane tree, the first person you asked was Zhai Feng?"
Chu Shichen: "So?"
"So you consider him a friend." Xiang Mingzhang said, "He has also changed his opinion of you as you get along with him. He contacted me to plead for you. Then I will do it with reluctance so that your short friendship will not be destroyed too completely."
Chu Shichen laughed: "Do you want me to thank you for being a bad guy?"
Xiang Mingzhang asked: "Do you think I'm bad?"
Chu Shichen was speechless. Lying was bad, but he was not a good person either. At this point, his relationship with Xiang Mingzhang could no longer be explained.
A flutter of wings swept through the sky, and a large flock of white doves attracted the attention of the crowd.
Xiang Mingzhang and Chu Shichen walked past Central Avenue and St. Sophia Cathedral one by one, fed the pigeons in the square, and were about to return. They always stole a little happiness before leaving.
He booked a flight in the evening and returned to the hotel to pack his luggage in the afternoon. Xiang Mingzhang called the driver in advance.
It was already dark when the plane took off. There were no clouds or moon in the sky. Chu Shichen took some cold medicine and felt a little sleepy, so he slept until the end of the flight.
After getting off the plane and walking out, Xiang Mingzhang asked, "Do you want to rest for another two days?"
"No need." Chu Shichen was sleepy and decisive. "The company should have a lot of things piled up. I will be there on time tomorrow."
A familiar business car was parked outside the terminal. The driver first took Chu Shichen home. Mrs. Chu greeted him outside the gate of the villa, so Xiang Mingzhang could only say "goodbye" quietly.
Half an hour later, the driver took Xiang Mingzhang to Bomanjia Apartment.
I hadn't been back for three or four days, and the private butler took good care of the room. The bedding was replaced, the water in the vase was changed, and the fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator were refreshed every day.
Xiang Mingzhang didn't bring any luggage, only a bag. He went into the cloakroom to change his clothes and took out the things in the bag.
As soon as I opened it, I found Chu Shichen's examination report inside.
It was packed on the day I was discharged from the hospital. It was sealed with a thick brown paper envelope and contained medical records and X-rays, which examined almost every part of my body.
These should be kept and used as reference when one gets sick in the future. Xiang Mingzhang plans to give them to Chu Shichen tomorrow.
Several bills were mixed together, and when he was picking them out, one of them accidentally slipped off.
Xiang Mingzhang picked it up and found it was Chu Shichen’s abdominal CT scan.
He took a look and suddenly paused, staring at the film - the appendix in the image was intact.
But today Zhou Kesen said in person... Chu Shichen had undergone appendicitis surgery.
(End of this chapter)