Xiang Mingzhang took Shen Ruozhen's hand and left the data center. The door was closed and the system was locked. The secrets they shared and the warm embrace were left inside.
When I came out of the research center, it was dark. Parking was not allowed in front of the building. A patrolling security guard passed by and stopped to greet me: "Mr. Xiang, is this your car?"
Shen Ruozhen tried to pull his hand away, but Xiang Mingzhang held it tightly and said, "It's mine. I'll leave right away."
The security guard continued patrolling. Xiang Mingzhang opened the car door and stuffed Shen Ruozhen into the passenger seat. He bent down, pulled out the seat belt and helped Shen Ruozhen fasten it.
No matter what, he stimulated the person and half of his soul and spirit were dispersed.
Xiang Mingzhang hooked his index finger on the seat belt to test the tightness, and put his knuckles on Shen Ruozhen's chest, deliberately pushing it, and called out in a pretended respectful manner: "President Shen?"
Shen Ruozhen's senses and hearing were startled at the same time, and he shuddered: "What's the matter?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Your cell phone is ringing."
The car door closed, Shen Ruozhen took out his cell phone, it was Peng Xin calling. He didn't answer for a long time, the ringtone stopped, and then he received a WeChat message.
The project team had a dinner together to celebrate the successful completion of the second exchange. The restaurant had already been booked and Peng Xin sent him the address.
Xiang Mingzhang walked around to the driver's seat, got in the car, started the engine and drove out of the park.
Before Shen Ruozhen could reply, he said, "Director Peng asked me to have dinner with him."
Xiang Mingzhang asked: "Then do you want to go?"
Shen Ruozhen was happy to celebrate with his colleagues, but he was too restless today, as if he had suddenly shed the shell of "Chu Shichen". He didn't know what kind of mentality he would have when facing everyone.
He hesitated and said, "Forget it."
Xiang Mingzhang guessed what Shen Ruozhen was worried about. There was still a long way to go, so they had to keep going. He said, "Let's have a meal and chat to calm down. I'll go with you."
The restaurant is in a star-rated hotel. There are jazz performances and the atmosphere is casual and suitable for gatherings. The project team has just finished one milestone and is in urgent need of relieving fatigue.
Just when everyone had relaxed, Shen Ruozhen arrived, and with him came Xiang Mingzhang, who had never attended a staff dinner before.
Peng Xin was surprised for a moment, but reacted quickly: "Mr. Xiang, Secretary Chu, we are waiting for you."
Xiang Mingzhang and Shen Ruozhen sat together with a menu on the table. They were ordering food just now, but became a little restrained because of the president's appearance.
Shen Ruozhen asked to help: "What kind of dishes does this restaurant serve?"
The assistant opposite said, "We have fusion dishes."
Xiang Mingzhang took the initiative to say: "Then order more, it's my treat today."
Everyone immediately became excited, and when all the dishes were served, they raised their glasses to celebrate the great success of the second exchange. Shen Ruozhen was afraid of losing his composure, so he drank a full glass of tea instead of wine.
Unfortunately, he had already revealed something strange. The business team had been working side by side for a while and were used to caring for each other. The supervisor asked, "Secretary Chu, why are your eyes so red?"
Shen Ruozhen covered it up and said, "It's okay. I didn't get enough rest."
The project manager said: "Me too, I've been dreaming about communication these days, I'm going crazy."
The supervisor asked: "Are you always discussing needs with the general manager's office in your dreams?"
The topic changed, and Shen Ruozhen gradually relaxed, occasionally answering or laughing. This feeling was magical. In the eyes of others, he was still "Chu Shichen", but only he knew that this was his true self at this moment.
No, Xiang Mingzhang also knows.
Shen Ruozhen couldn't help but turn his head away. Xiang Mingzhang's eyes were always on him. He turned his head almost at the same time and asked, "What do you want?"
Shen Ruozhen recalled that Xiang Mingzhang called him "President Shen". There was a hint of teasing hidden in the seriousness. Did he think that Xiang Mingzhang couldn't hear it
Pushing the empty cup over, Shen Ruozhen politely put on the airs of a bank president and said, "Please, Mr. Xiang, pour me some tea."
Xiang Mingzhang went to touch the teapot, and several people at the table who were more perceptive rushed to help. He waved his hand to refuse, picked up the teapot and poured a cup for his secretary in full view of everyone.
Shen Ruozhen said: "Thank you."
After a meeting during the day, they only had a simple meal. Xiang Mingzhang said, "Eat something. The traditional brown sugar rice cake is the signature snack here. You can try it."
Shen Ruozhen's plate had been empty, so he obediently picked up a piece of rice cake.
It would take at least ten days for the official bidding specifications to be formulated and announced, so everyone decided to take a break from their busy schedule and go on vacation together, since the company would reimburse the money anyway.
Xiang Mingzhang understood the intentions of these people and said, "Whatever, you decide for yourselves."
The sales team leader suggested: "How about going skiing?"
"No." Peng Xin shook his head. "Skiing is dangerous. If I break a bone, it will affect my future work."
The manager said, "It's so cold in the winter, let's go somewhere warmer."
Everyone thought it made sense, and that the sun and the beach were the most relaxing. They all decided to go to Bali for a few days. Peng Xin said, "Secretary Chu, why don't you say anything? Do you have any ideas?"
Shen Ruozhen smiled and said, "I have no objection."
Upstairs from the restaurant is a bowling alley and a spa. After eating and drinking, those who are still energetic switch places while others go home together.
Xiang Mingzhang drove Shen Ruozhen away, took two detours, and arrived at the gate of the Chu family before dawn.
The lights in the villa were on. Shen Ruozhen unbuckled his seat belt and said, "I'm going back. Drive carefully."
Xiang Mingzhang watched Shen Ruozhen's back disappear into the gate, drove back, and couldn't help but sneer. When did he become so kind
He had grasped Shen Ruozhen's secret, which was equivalent to grasping Shen Ruozhen's fatal weakness. He should kidnap the person and use it to negotiate terms at the very least or to blackmail him at the worst. It all depended on his will.
But he actually sent the person home before it was even past twelve o'clock, which was more punctual than Cinderella's pumpkin carriage.
Xiang Mingzhang admitted that he was soft-hearted, or to put it bluntly, "no future". He wanted to give Shen Ruozhen some time to calm down. Such a smart person was so stimulated that he forgot to ask him how he knew all this.
In the garden, Shen Ruozhen walked very slowly. He had long been accustomed to returning to this home every day and living with Mrs. Chu, Chu Shihui, Aunt Tang and Sister Xiu.
Today was like waking up from a dream. He stepped into the garden. The bricks, stones, and plants were reminding him that every good time he had in the Chu family was built on his disguise and deception.
Shen Ruozhen walked into the villa. The whole family was in the living room. Chu Shihui was a good news bird. She came back and announced the good news of the successful communication.
Mrs. Chu shouted happily: "Xiaochen is back."
Shen Ruozhen felt ashamed by this address and responded, "Mom, you haven't rested yet."
Sister Xiu said, "I made some fermented rice wine. Would you like a bowl?"
"Don't give it to him." Aunt Tang is always considerate. "He must have drunk alcohol at the party with his colleagues. He will get drunk if he eats the fermented rice wine."
Mrs. Chu hurriedly said, "Then don't eat anymore. Go and have a rest. You've been so busy lately that you're exhausted."
Mrs. Chu said, "It's so cold, why not go take a hot spring bath?"
Shen Ruozhen went upstairs listening to the chattering. He was extremely conflicted, feeling guilty for telling lies, but also uneasy about the fact that these were not his "family". So he walked firmly and steadily along the way.
After returning to the room and taking a shower, Shen Ruozhen sat on the bed until his hair dried. He slid into the quilt. The small incense burner on the bedside table was emitting light smoke, with a larger dosage than usual.
Shen Ruozhen waited until midnight, and opened his eyes when the lingering fragrance faded away. He was afraid that he would be doomed to a sleepless night.
He picked up the phone beside his pillow. He didn't want to spoil everyone's fun in the restaurant, but he really didn't have the energy to go to the island for fun.
Peng Xin was worldly-wise and knew that contacting him directly would probably be a hassle for him, so he once again troubled Xiang Mingzhang to tell him a reason why he couldn't go.
Shen Ruozhen left a message, got out of bed, put on a coat and went to the study.
The desk drawer was locked, and Shen Ruozhen opened it and took out the brown paper bag inside. The information that he had asked Lawyer Lei to investigate was all in the bag. He had read it many times, but since the clues were cut off, he locked it up and didn't touch it again.
Shen Ruozhen watched it again. The yacht was involved in a fire and explosion. Chu Shichen also had an accident at sea.
Early spring, late at night.
He was a little confused, trying to make a reasonable guess amidst the absurdity... The season and time of the accidents on both sides matched, so could the location of the accidents be the same sea
If so, that sea is where he came from.
Shen Ruozhen suddenly felt an impulse. He went back to his room, changed into thick clothes, and quietly went out.
In Bomanjia Apartment, Xiang Mingzhang slept uneasily. He turned over and woke up, and saw the message sent by Shen Ruozhen twenty minutes ago.
He guessed that Shen Ruozhen was not asleep at all, so he called her. After more than ten rings, no one answered and the call was automatically disconnected. He hesitated for a moment and called again, but still no one answered.
Xiang Mingzhang became increasingly uneasy. He tirelessly called until the fifth time. Finally, someone answered the phone. Chu Shihui's voice came: "Mr. Xiang?"
Xiang Mingzhang asked: "Miss Chu, where is your brother?"
Chu Shihui was awakened by the ringing sound. She came out of the bedroom and found that Chu Shichen's door was not closed. The phone was ringing beside the pillow. She asked curiously, "My brother is not here. When did he go out..."
Xiang Mingzhang asked: "Did he say where he was going?"
"I don't know, maybe he made an appointment with a friend."
Xiang Mingzhang hung up the phone, couldn't wait even a second, changed his clothes and went out.
The jeep rushed towards the deserted street, roaring like a roar. Xiang Mingzhang passed by the sparse figures on the sidewalk. No, none of them was Shen Ruozhen.
Why did Shen Ruozhen run out alone in the middle of the night, and where did he go
Xiang Mingzhang went straight to the piano store on Ouli Street, but did not find Shen Ruozhen.
Apart from the former site of Fuhua Bank, the only other connection to the past was the announcement, but Lanxin was closed at night and the cultural center inside could not be entered.
Where else will Shen Ruozhen go
Xiang Mingzhang regretted it deeply. He should have kept Shen Ruozhen by his side and watched her with his own eyes. She came here for unknown reasons. If she disappeared out of thin air, where would he find her
Who can he ask for compensation
Xiang Mingzhang was stunned. Shen Ruozhen had not yet told him what happened in the early spring of 1945, but Shen Ruozhen appeared in this time and space and was rescued at sea.
Could it be that Shen Ruozhen had once encountered a shipwreck
Xiang Mingzhang stepped on the accelerator to the limit and turned the steering wheel sharply.
Yaxi Bay at four o'clock in the morning.
The coast was deserted and deserted. The dotted street lights turned the night into a dark gray. The tide rose and fell repeatedly, and the cold wind blew in my face with the sound of waves.
Shen Ruozhen stood on the beach and looked at the sea. Did that ship and that storm happen on this sea
He didn't know, and suddenly he saw a piece of paper floating not far away.
At the entrance of the Coastline Highway, the jeep sped down, and when it swung its tail brake to stop, its dragon claw tires kicked up a cloud of fine sand on the ground.
Xiang Mingzhang got out of the car, the sea breeze blowing against him, panic spreading. He moved his lips and shouted, "—Shen Ruozhen!"
The only response was the low roar of the sea. Xiang Mingzhang did not give up. He ran along the beach and shouted to the surging waves: "Shen Ruozhen!"
"Shen Ruozhen! Where are you?!"
Xiang Mingzhang kept running and shouting. It turned out that Yaxi Bay was so vast that he would make his throat hoarse and his eyes sore just by looking for someone.
Suddenly, Xiang Mingzhang saw a figure in the sea in the distance.
He ran over frantically, and the moment he saw clearly, his heart skipped a beat—the sea water had submerged Shen Ruozhen's knees, the corners of his clothes were fluttering in the wind, and his whole body was wet.
Xiang Mingzhang's eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was trembling: "Where are you going?"
The soft and wet beach sank, and Shen Ruozhen turned around staggeringly.
Xiang Mingzhang stepped into the water, not even feeling the cold. He rushed to Shen Ruozhen and asked, "Why are you at the beach? What are you going to do?"
Shen Ruozhen was holding a piece of soaked waste paper. He was confused and thought it was his lost anti-Japanese currency, so he chased it into the sea in a daze.
His hand loosened, the paper fell, and Xiang Mingzhang grabbed Shen Ruozhen.
He had been restraining himself since he came out of the Yao family's villa. He dispelled his shock in the heavy rain in Hangzhou. He couldn't sleep for several nights and thought about all the possibilities. In the end, he accepted it and acknowledged it.
Nothing matters, as long as this person stays here.
But just now, Shen Ruozhen was standing alone on the surging coast, looking thin and small, as if he would be swept away by the waves at any time.
Xiang Mingzhang can endure all kinds of feelings, but he cannot withstand the fear of "losing".
He had roared many times along the way, and there was no need to shout loudly at this moment. Xiang Mingzhang said hoarsely: "You scared me."
Shen Ruozhen came to his senses and said, "I'm sorry, I made you worry."
Xiang Mingzhang mechanically repeated: "Shen Ruozhen, you scared me."
Xiang Mingzhang held Shen Ruozhen's arm and walked back. His feet were covered in mud and sand, cold and painful. He walked all the way to the jeep and said without hesitation, "I won't let you run around anymore."
Shen Ruozhen was pushed into the carriage. He had never seen Xiang Mingzhang like this before. His face was gloomy and he seemed angry. He gave in and said, "I'll go home right away."
Xiang Mingzhang closed the car door and locked it with a click: "You won't be going home for a while."
Shen Ruozhen was stunned and asked, "Where are you taking me?"
Going to a place where you can rest assured, Xiang Mingzhang started the engine and said, "Manzhuang."
(End of this chapter)