The departing flight was scheduled for the morning, and they would meet in the lobby of the terminal. Chu Shichen had never been to Shenzhen, but he knew the climate was warm, so it was just right for him to bring the spring clothes that Mrs. Chu bought for him.
Xiang Mingzhang stood out in the crowd, wearing a black casual suit and headphones. He slept for a quarter of an hour longer in the morning, got up, took a shower and went out, without having time to take care of his short hair.
Chu Shichen raised his hand to ruffle Xiang Mingzhang's hair and said, "You rarely sleep in."
Xiang Mingzhang lowered his head slightly: "I went to the club to exercise last night, and I'm a little tired."
Chu Shichen asked: "Did you climb the wall?"
Xiang Mingzhang didn't bother with the Republic of China people and corrected him: "Rock climbing."
Zhou Kesen arrived and actually brought the most luggage. After checking in their luggage, the three of them went through security together and waited for the flight.
The business class cabin was spacious and comfortable. Chu Shichen sat by the window. After the plane took off, he opened his notebook. He had no experience in business training, so he had to prepare a draft in advance.
During the flight, Xiang Mingzhang brought a book with him as usual and read from the preface to the end of the first volume. The sound of writing was intermittent in his ears and the pen tip paused repeatedly. In his peripheral vision, Chu Shichen looked out the window at the floating clouds seven times.
Xiang Mingzhang began to read the second volume and said, "If you can't hold it in, forget it."
Chu Shichen likes flying, so he can't calm down. He examined the more than 100 words he had written and said, "It's better to stay in the company and help Director Peng with the follow-up of the project."
Xiang Mingzhang closed the book after hearing this, threw it to Chu Shichen to exchange with the notebook, turned to a new page, and said, "I took you on a business trip, and you're already complaining before we even landed. You're becoming more and more fearless."
Chu Shichen read the introduction on the cover clearly. It was about the history of the changes of the Ningbo Chamber of Commerce in modern times. The bookmark in the second volume was a piece of plain paper. He left it in the gift box as a birthday gift for Xiang Xingzhao on behalf of Xiang Mingzhang.
Thinking of Xiang Xingzhao, the last time they met was at a wedding in Jingpu Mansion, when the newlyweds were performing the ceremony. Unfortunately, Xiang Xingzhao was confused and stubbornly believed that Xiang Mingzhang was the groom.
The guests in the room could all see who the old man was most looking forward to marrying and starting a family. Chu Shichen couldn't help but turn his head and said, "If Mr. Xiang knew that you couldn't marry and have children, I'm afraid it would be a big blow to him."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "He has more than one grandson, and Xiang Rugang already has a child. It's a blessing to have four generations living under one roof."
Chu Shichen said: "You are different to Mr. Xiang."
Xiang Mingzhang's expression turned almost inaudibly cold, but his tone was still calm: "There's nothing we can do about it."
Chu Shichen tried to catch some clues, treating it as silk falling off a cocoon, and then pulled it apart and peeled it off. He said, "You don't seem to care much."
The pen tip hovered over the paper, Xiang Mingzhang said nothing. Just then the flight attendant came over and asked what he wanted to drink. He changed the subject and said, "Give me a glass of lemonade."
Two hours later, the plane landed at Bao'an International Airport.
Although it was midwinter, the weather in Shenzhen was obviously much warmer and it was a sunny day. Zhou Kesen took off his down jacket as soon as he got off the plane.
Chu Shichen has been to Harbin, and this time he came to Shenzhen, which means he has traveled to both the north and south ends of China.
The specific travel matters were arranged by Assistant Guan. After coming out of the airport pick-up gate, Chu Shichen was unsure whether to call a taxi, so he asked, "Mr. Xiang, will the branch send someone to pick us up?"
"Yes." Xiang Mingzhang replied, "The director of the R&D center will come to pick you up and accompany you throughout the trip."
Chu Shichen seemed to have heard of this position before. As he walked and recalled, he suddenly remembered it and saw Zhai Feng waiting a few meters away.
Almost a year had passed since the pharmaceutical company's project. Zhai Feng resigned and left, and Chu Shichen joined Xiang Yue. They had no contact with each other since then. They parted in a hurry and tacitly severed all their friendship.
Zhai Feng was still the same, gentle and refined, wearing a new pair of glasses. He went up to greet Xiang Mingzhang first, then addressed Zhou Kesen in a friendly manner and asked, "Master, are you tired from flying?"
Zhou Kesen waved his hand: "I'm not tired, I'm not old yet."
Zhai Feng smiled and walked towards Chu Shichen, a smile on his face. After thinking for a while, he called out in a weak voice, "Shichen."
Chu Shichen already knew the truth of the past, and also understood Zhai Feng's motive for doing so. The failure at the time was the price of being "Chu Shichen" for him, and it was also a test for himself.
If Chu Shichen was angry, he would not have kept Zhai Feng's contact information. Now that they meet again today, why not just laugh it off.
Chu Shichen said calmly, "Long time no see. How is working here? Is your daughter adapting after going to school?"
Zhai Feng suddenly relaxed. He had heard everything Zhou Kesen had said. He said, "Everything is fine. How are you?"
"Me too." Chu Shichen said briskly, "You taught me a lot of things when we first met. This time on a business trip, it's my turn to train your staff."
Zhai Feng smiled and asked them to go out. A business car was parked in front of the terminal exit. Zhou Kesen handed a travel bag to Zhai Feng and said, "Harbin's specialties are so delicious."
After leaving the airport, I went directly to Xiang Yue's branch. The streets in Shenzhen were beautiful and clean, and Chu Shichen looked around with a sense of novelty all the way.
The branch is located in the Science and Technology Park, with two buildings for office and R&D. The design style is simple and modern, with three floors in the middle as a connection, which serves as the company's restaurant and leisure area.
It was almost noon and they were having lunch in the staff cafeteria. Everyone brought their work ID. Xiang Yue’s branch systems in various locations were interconnected, and one card could be used to pay for anything and enjoy all the company’s public facilities and benefits.
Xiang Mingzhang didn't like formalities, so this inspection trip was not very fanciful. He only informed a few managers and took a quick tour of the company in the afternoon, mainly to look at the environment and hardware equipment.
The formal interaction is scheduled for tomorrow, with a report meeting and training lectures, and the general manager of the branch is already prepared.
When leaving the Science Park in the evening, Zhai Feng asked the driver to pick them up and asked, "Shichen, which hotel are you staying in?"
As the Spring Festival approaches, the pressure of passenger flow in Guangdong is extraordinary. Xiang Mingzhang dislikes the busyness of the hotel, so he did not ask Assistant Guan to book a room. He has an unused small villa in Nanshan District. It is a single-family house, quiet, and spacious for three people.
The villa is not far from the Science and Technology Park. When we arrived, the sun was about to set, the spotlights on the corridor had not been turned on yet, and the small square swimming pool was rippling with orange-red ripples.
Xiang Mingzhang had someone clean the room a day in advance, replaced the bed with a new one, and replenished daily necessities and some drinks.
Chu Shichen and Xiang Mingzhang lived on the second floor, in two adjacent bedrooms.
The house had not been occupied for a long time and there was a cool and damp air. Chu Shichen took a hot shower, went to bed, covered himself with the quilt, and opened his notebook to do homework for tomorrow's training meeting.
Xiang Mingzhang wrote a brief outline on the plane. The key points were clear and comprehensive, but one part was marked with a wavy line and a "question mark" was put at the end of the sentence.
Chu Shichen didn't understand it, but was reluctant to get out of bed, so he took a picture with his phone and sent it to Xiang Mingzhang, asking him what it meant.
After waiting for a few minutes without any reply, Chu Shichen had to get out of bed and go to the bedroom next door, which was a large suite. Xiang Mingzhang was sitting on the sofa in the reading area answering the phone.
As soon as he hung up, Xiang Mingzhang looked up and asked, "What's wrong?"
Chu Shichen walked over and said, "If you're not busy, go over my thoughts with me."
On the double fabric sofa, Xiang Mingzhang half-hugged Chu Shichen in front of him, leaving some space on both sides. He took the pen from between Chu Shichen's fingers and wrote as he spoke.
After all, he could handle the presentations for large projects, so a training session wouldn't be that difficult. Chu Shichen thought about it according to the outline and basically had an idea of it.
He had nothing else to do, so he closed his notebook and said, "Then I'll go back to my room."
Xiang Mingzhang held him tightly and didn't let go: "It was Xu Liao who called just now."
After meeting Qian Hua, they changed their minds about Alan and decided to continue investigating the yacht. Lawyer Lei had not received any new information. Chu Shichen asked, "Did Mr. Xu find any clues?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "He investigated carefully and went to many places. Although the possibility is slim, it is not completely impossible to start."
The biggest difficulty is that they don't know what Alan looks like. Their last analysis showed that he was from Southeast Asia and was familiar with yachts. Xu Liao started from this direction and temporarily locked in some people.
Chu Shichen speculated: "If Alan is really among the people we have targeted, people who were at the party should be able to recognize him."
Xiang Mingzhang's first reaction was "Xingyu". Although this Chu Shichen was fake, it was better to avoid seeing those messy people. He asked, "Who are you going to find?"
Chu Shichen said as a matter of course: "Director Peng, didn't he sign the contract on your behalf and attend the yacht party?"
Xiang Mingzhang almost forgot about Peng Xin and covered it up by saying, "Well, but Xu Liao is still under investigation. Let's talk about it in detail when we meet again."
Chu Shichen nodded. There was really nothing else to do now. He stood up in his slippers and said, "Then I'll go back to sleep."
Turning around and walking out, Chu Shichen pretended not to hear the footsteps following him, and turned back to the bedroom next door. As soon as he entered the room, Xiang Mingzhang came up from behind and hugged him.
Rubbing his chin against the ends of his hair, Xiang Mingzhang said, "I'm not going to blow dry my hair."
Chu Shichen asked: "What are you going to do?"
Xiang Mingzhang lowered his head and sniffed the back of his neck, saying bluntly: "I want you."
Chu Shichen was ticklish, so he lowered his head, exposing more skin on the back of his neck. Whenever he and Xiang Mingzhang were intimate, there were no outsiders around, especially elders. He said, "Uncle Sen is downstairs."
"Then let's be quieter." Xiang Mingzhang said in a softer voice, coaxing, "You don't like to scream anyway, so just humming, it's quieter than Lingtuan'er's screaming."
Chu Shichen was embarrassed by what he said, but he had to save face: "Why, are you not satisfied with what I am saying?"
The gauze curtain fell and the door was locked. Afraid that the bed legs would rub against the floor and make noise, Xiang Mingzhang carried Chu Shichen into the cloakroom next door.
The wardrobes on all four sides were empty. Chu Shichen lay on his back on the center island where his jewelry was placed. He seemed annoyed. He bit his lips and refused to make any sound. All the surging emotions were suppressed in his throat and nasal cavity.
In the confusion of his senses, he accidentally knocked over the tray on the table, and several aromatherapy stones rolled down with a clang.
Xiang Mingzhang's scalp tingled for a moment, and he pulled Chu Shichen down as if as a punishment.
Chu Shichen lost his slippers long ago, and couldn't stand steadily on his bare feet. He fell straight to the ground and finally cried out: "... Xiang Mingzhang!"
Xiang Mingzhang thought that falling on a flannel carpet wouldn't hurt, but he stretched out his hands first, held Chu Shichen by the waist, lifted him lightly, and carried him back to the bedroom.
It was late at night and Chu Shichen felt sleepy as soon as he touched the pillow. He curled up slightly in the quilt and said worriedly, "The cloakroom is messy. We need to clean it up."
Xiang Mingzhang went to get a cup of hot water and said, "It's okay, someone will come to clean up the house tomorrow morning."
How could such a mess be seen by others? Chu Shichen said, "No."
Xiang Mingzhang had never done any work before, so he realized: "Should I clean up?"
Chu Shichen lifted the quilt and said, "Whoever uses it should keep it."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Then we don't need to do it next time."
Chu Shichen didn't like it in the first place, and with the afterglow of trembling in his heart, he glanced at Xiang Mingzhang, as if it was an agreement of some great importance, and said seriously: "I agree."
Xiang Mingzhang stared at him in silence for a few seconds, then stood up from the bed.
Chu Shichen lifted the corner of the quilt: "Where are you going?"
"I'll go clean up." Xiang Mingzhang leaned over, sighing helplessly in Chu Shichen's ear, "I'm useless, not only do I have fun, I'm willing to do anything."
(End of this chapter)