Now that Xiang Mingzhang and Chu Shichen have returned from Shenzhen, it’s time for a holiday.
The company has had a great harvest this year. There is no need to say much about the cultural and tourism projects. Lixin Bank also has large orders worth hundreds of millions, and there are also some projects worth tens of millions. All in all, Xiang Yue is good enough to stand out in the industry.
If performance exceeds targets, the year-end bonus will definitely not be small, especially for the business department.
Chu Shichen's pay slip was extremely detailed, including his salary as a secretary, bonuses for participating in several projects, overtime pay on holidays and various subsidies. The final total amount far exceeded estimates.
Chu Shichen was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and he had experienced all kinds of wealth. He had been exposed to money since childhood, and he dealt with bills every day when he grew up. The amount of money he grabbed and scattered through his fingers was astronomical, and it was impossible to calculate.
He would not dare to claim that he "regards money as dirt", but when it comes to money, his mind is smart and there are not too many waves in his heart.
Chu Shichen put away the pay slip. After all, this was the salary he earned in the first year of the new century, and it had a somewhat different meaning.
After the bonuses were distributed, the Welfare and Security Department came to deliver Spring Festival gifts, which were very generous, and there was a constant buzz in the department.
It was a holiday in the afternoon. Chu Shichen was always tidy and there was nothing to clean up, so he turned off the machines that needed to be turned off and went to the president's office to see if he needed any help.
Xiang Mingzhang had almost finished organizing, so he cleared out the drawer and asked, "Who will be in charge of the annual meeting tonight?"
"Mr. Zhang." Chu Shichen asked, "What's wrong?"
Xiang Mingzhang said: "I won't attend. Old Xiang Yue's annual meeting is also tonight, so I have to go."
Old Xiang Yue’s annual meeting is grand and everyone on the board of directors will be there. As the vice president, Xiang Mingzhang has no reason to be absent. Besides, he is not the kind of person who is not interested in fighting with the world. He will always be in a high position whenever there is a big event.
At that time, Chu Shichen reminded everyone: "Don't drink too much, bring stomach medicine."
Xiang Mingzhang packed a box, picked up his coat and briefcase, and said, "There are a lot of things to deal with over there. I'll go there early. You can speak on my behalf at the annual meeting tonight."
Chu Shichen said: "Don't worry, I'll take care of it."
Xiang Mingzhang suddenly paused and said, "What are your plans for the holiday? Do you remember?"
"Go to Man Manor to visit your aunt." How could Chu Shichen forget? "Tell your aunt in advance, don't be abrupt."
Xiang Mingzhang agreed with satisfaction: "During the two days of the New Year, let my mother give you a big red envelope."
Xiang Mingzhang left first. Once the boss left, the employees became completely unbridled. Various departments rushed around, and the office area was more lively than the old streets in Guangzhou.
In the evening, the annual meeting was held in a five-star hotel. Xiang Yue booked a two-story banquet hall, which was connected by a double spiral staircase.
This year Xiang Yue has two things to celebrate. One is the fruitful project, and the other is the acquisition of Yisi.
Chu Shichen glanced in Yisi's direction and walked over with the red wine. Li Cangqiu was sitting at the head table. When he saw him coming, he pinched the stem of the glass and nodded.
In the past year, Chu Shichen reorganized several important departments of Yisi, took away many of Li Zangqiu's men, and then cut off the transfer of resources to Duheng. The cultural and tourism projects also forced the Li father and son to avoid suspicion.
In addition, Zhou Kesen was invited back to be entrusted with important tasks. As a result, Li Zangqiu was severely injured and had almost no private contacts with the Chu family.
No matter what, they are all respectable people. Chu Shichen took the initiative to greet them: "Mr. Li, I'll toast you a glass."
Li Cangqiu took a sip of red wine and said to everyone at the table with a smile: "Yisi's performance this year is better than in previous years, and Shichen has made a great contribution."
Chu Shichen said: "I am just a half-baked person, thank you all for your efforts for Yisi."
Zhou Kesen looked at him with a look of comfort and said, "Drink less. It's enough as long as the meaning is conveyed."
Chu Shichen chatted with Yisi's colleagues for a while, spoke on stage as a spokesperson for Xiang Mingzhang, and was later invited by Peng Xin to chat about other things.
The annual meeting ended in the early morning, and it was officially a holiday. Chu Shichen returned home, took a hot bath, turned off the alarm clock, and slept until he woke up naturally.
He used to be very busy with his work, and the only time he could take a break was during the Chinese New Year. He couldn't quite remember what he did, but it seemed like he just stayed in the mansion to accompany his family.
Chu Shichen still had the same habit, getting up every day to take a walk in the garden, reading in the room during the day, drinking coffee, smoking cigars, doing some work when he was bored, rinsing the small incense burner, and wiping the pipa.
Aunt Tang bought Jacky Cheung's album and still had something to say about him. It was unclear whether it was a compliment or criticism: "He never leaves the house. In the old society, even when the Qing dynasty fell, the nanny would have to tell him."
Mrs. Chu said, "Are you talking about my son or that lady from a wealthy family?"
"I praised your son for being a good boy." Aunt Tang said, "It's really a complete shattering of things. Sometimes I even want to lose my memory and try it out."
Chu Shichen heard it and felt that he was being laughed at for staying at home, so he went out in the afternoon, carrying his year-end bonus, to choose New Year gifts for his relatives and friends.
On New Year's Eve, the Chu family villa was brightly lit. The four golden flowers wanted to play mahjong, but Chu Shichen pretended not to know how to play and curled up on the sofa in the living room reading a magazine.
Putting his cell phone aside, blessing messages came one after another. Every time the screen lit up, Chu Shichen would take a look, for fear of missing out on important news.
At around eleven o'clock, the phone rang and the screen showed "Xiang Mingzhang".
Chu Shichen walked out of the villa to the garden, sat on the swing chair and answered the call. There was a "ding-dong" sound on the phone, which sounded like someone dropped a car key at the door. He asked, "Where are you?"
"I just arrived at the apartment." Xiang Mingzhang had been in Shenzhen for four or five days and had accumulated a lot of things. "I worked overtime at the company these two days and had a meeting with my aunt in the evening. I finally finished my work."
Chu Shichen said: "Those who are capable should do more work. Thank you for your hard work."
Xiang Mingzhang heard the tone of the bank president and said, "It's so dry. I hope you can be more gentle."
Chu Shichen considered his words carefully and said again: "If there is anything I can do to help you share the burden, just ask."
Xiang Mingzhang seemed to sigh, no longer allowing the Republic of China to play freely, and asked directly: "Do you miss me?"
The night sky suddenly exploded with red fireworks. Chu Shichen looked up and answered, "I've been waiting for this call all night. What do you think?"
Xiang Mingzhang's fatigue was mostly relieved, and he said, "It looks like I can sleep well on New Year's Eve."
Chu Shichen was relieved: "Then you should rest early."
Xiang Mingzhang said: "Well, see you tomorrow."
Mrs. Chu ran out to see, holding her chest with both hands, her posture like an innocent girl. Chu Shichen walked over, took off his coat and put it on Mrs. Chu.
Amid the crackling sound, Mrs. Chu said softly, "When your father was alive, he would set off fireworks for me every year."
Chu Shichen was moved and asked, "Do you miss him very much?"
"Yes." Mrs. Chu held his elbow and leaned on his shoulder. "He was good in every way, but he left too early."
Chu Shichen thought of his parents, who had loved each other for many years, but were separated by death and could no longer reunite. They couldn’t even see each other for the last time.
He looked up at the sky to comfort Mrs. Chu, and also to comfort his real mother: "Mom, don't be sad."
"I just feel regretful." Mrs. Chu said, "But it doesn't matter. Chu Zhe is gone. I can watch other people's fireworks. They are all equally beautiful. Whether things are good or bad depends on how you think about them. Life also depends on how you choose to live it."
Chu Shichen was a little surprised. He knew that Mrs. Chu had a cheerful personality, and it turned out that she was even more open-minded.
The fireworks disappeared without a trace. Mrs. Chu shivered with coldness. She took Chu Shichen's arm back to the house and asked, "What time is suitable for departure tomorrow?"
Chu Shichen asked: "Where are you going?"
Mrs. Chu said, "Let's go to Xiang's house to wish the old man a happy new year."
When Chu Zhe was around, he would take Mrs. Chu to visit the Xiang family on New Year's Day. But in recent years, their friendship has faded, so they haven't been there. This year, the two families have become close again, and they have invited Xiang Xingzhao to their wedding. So, they must go to pay New Year's greetings to Xiang Xingzhao during the Spring Festival.
Chu Shichen realized that this was what Xiang Mingzhang meant when he said “see you tomorrow”.
Seeing that he didn't say anything, Mrs. Chu thought he didn't want to go, and said, "There's nothing we can do. We have to do favors. You have a good relationship with Mingzhang, so just think of it as going to have a small gathering with him."
Chu Shichen said: "I don't care."
"That's good." Mrs. Chu said, "The Xiang family has a large number of members. On the surface, they seem to be harmonious, but in fact, there are undercurrents and hidden meanings in their words. It's quite interesting to watch them compete with each other."
Chu Shichen almost laughed and asked, "Are they always like that?"
"I didn't dare to do that before." Mrs. Chu recalled, "When Director Xiang was not ill, he was very majestic and no one dared to offend him. Only Xiang Mingzhang was always domineering because he was respected."
Chu Shichen said: "Mr. Xiang is so arrogant, isn't Mr. Xiang angry?"
Mrs. Chu gossiped and told him, "How could that be? Director Xiang said that Xiang Mingzhang is the one who looks most like him."
Chu Shichen tried to piece together Xiang Xingzhao's past appearance, but could only recall his frail body and a pair of cloudy and dull eyes.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the gates of the inner and outer gardens of Jingpu are opened wide. On this day every year, friends and relatives who come to pay New Year's greetings line up from morning to evening, and the doorsteps are broken down.
Ever since Xiang Xingzhao fell ill and had to recuperate, the reunion dinner on New Year's Eve was omitted. The Xiang family rushed over early in the morning. The men were well-dressed, the ladies were adorned with jewels, and there was even a baby carriage.
Xiang Mingzhang arrived a little later. He walked through the side door into the side hall and asked the western kitchen for a cup of black coffee. After he woke up, he walked towards the living room. On the way, he heard a baby crying.
Xiang Rugang and Miss Qin's child was born. They sent a message to inform them, but Xiang Mingzhang didn't worry about it. After showing up, he said, "There's a new baby in the family. His voice is loud enough."
Xiang Kun was delighted to become a grandfather: "Mingzhang, why are you here just now? You are the only one missing."
"Come and look at the baby." Xiang Huan waved, "Ming Zhang, you are an uncle now."
Xiang Mingzhang didn't like children and didn't prepare any gifts. He walked to the stroller, took out a red envelope and shook it, his tone was no different from Dou Ling Tuan'er: "Little guy, I'll give you another good one for the full moon."
The eldest aunt said, "Bring the baby to Dad to have a look."
Xiang Huan said, "Dad's room smells strongly of medicine, don't go over there, kid, let Mingzhang push the old man out later."
Xiang Mingzhang was annoyed by the crying and said, "I'll go now."
The door of Xiang Xingzhao's bedroom was open, which meant that he was awake and needed some fresh air. Uncle Qi came out carrying half a bowl of leftover soup and ran into Xiang Mingzhang.
"Mr. Xiang, Happy New Year."
Xiang Mingzhang paused for a moment and said, "Uncle Qi, you didn't go home for the New Year?"
"It's important to take care of Director Xiang." Uncle Qi said, "I just finished taking the medicine and changed his clothes for Director Xiang."
Xiang Mingzhang blinked his eyes and said, "The door is open for guests to pay New Year's greetings. It's windy. Go get a scarf for grandpa to put on his collar."
Uncle Qi turned around to do it. Xiang Mingzhang stood there and looked at the other party's back. He pondered for a moment and walked into the bedroom. Everything was the same as before. The jade pine tree he had given her was placed on the cabinet at the end of the bed.
Xiang Xingzhao was dressed neatly, with a hint of his former power, but unfortunately he exposed his status as soon as he opened his mouth: "Mingzhang, come, come to me..."
Xiang Mingzhang walked to the bedside, his hands hanging down. Xiang Xingzhao stared at his wrists and said with difficulty: "Butterfly..."
The pure black suit was too dull, so Xiang Mingzhang wore a brand new Seiko watch with a black crocodile leather strap and six golden eagle butterflies on the dial.
Xiang Xingzhao collected many watches, but he never wore them after he got sick. Xiang Mingzhang took off his watch, put it on Xiang Xingzhao's wrist while sitting beside the bed, and said, "Zhuang Zhou dreamed of a butterfly. You were so amazing before, you never dreamed that you would become like this."
Xiang Xingzhao didn't understand and raised his hand to repeat: "Give it to me, Mingzhang."
There were six or seven medicine bottles on the bedside table. Xiang Mingzhang looked at them coldly. All medicines are poisonous. It's no wonder that there is no improvement if he takes them like this every day.
There were footsteps at the door of the outer room, and Uncle Qi came back with a scarf.
Xiang Mingzhang held Xiang Xingzhao's hand and whispered, "Grandpa, how long can you live?"
Uncle Qi came in and saw Xiang Mingzhang standing by the bed. He also saw the watch Xiang Xingzhao was wearing and said, "Why did you put it on Mr. Xiang? Don't bump it and break it."
Xiang Mingzhang took the scarf and put it around Xiang Xingzhao's neck, with a considerate look on his face, as if he was full of filial piety: "It's okay, as long as Grandpa likes it."
(End of this chapter)