"The Ye family." General Ling grinned. His smile was as cold as the first snow. "No wonder they are so attentive."
"What? Are you unwilling to accept it?" The old man threw the white pieces in his hand into the white jade porcelain jar, took a sip of milk, and asked. "What can you do if you are unwilling to accept it? After all, he won. I heard that you and that kid had some unpleasant things before, and I just watched with joy. You are still young, and he is also young. Why should we old guys get involved in the affairs of young people?"
"This time, it really makes people look at us with new eyes. Our family spent so much effort and resources on this, and he ruined the plan. This is no longer a child's play. This is a big strategy that ordinary people can't plan. Even some guys with high political wisdom scores don't have the brains of this kid. Just think about it, how can a few children's jokes affect the moves of this level?"
The old man's eyes became deep, as if there was a long river with no end in sight, and anyone who jumped in would be drowned forever. He said in a low voice: "If this is just a coincidence, because the boy's push outside happened to meet the wishes of some people and changed your fifth uncle's position, I can still accept it. But if the boy predicted this situation from the beginning, then you, a young man, will be a cause of concern."
The general hesitated for a long time, and finally told Grandpa truthfully: "Perhaps, Grandpa's worry about him is justified - maybe he had predicted such an outcome from the beginning."
The old man's expression became more solemn, then he grinned and said, "Interesting, really interesting. I have lived to such an old age, and I never thought that I would fight with a kid----"
"Grandpa----" General Ling held a handful of black pieces tightly in his palm. A figure like Grandpa actually regarded Fang Yan as an opponent. How could the younger generation have any face? He said firmly: "Fang Yan, leave it to me."
"Do you still have confidence?" The old man looked at his grandson with burning eyes and asked.
"I have never lost confidence." General Ling said. "He is a respectable opponent, but I will solve his problems--"
The old man sighed and said, "Why would we have a conflict with him? Such a person----it would be great if we could become friends. I will not interfere in this matter, nor will I let them interfere. Since you betrayed him, you should take him back----but, calm down first. This blow is too heavy. Since that person has taken action, it proves that they are angry. We must give them some face. Also, Yanziwu is not as simple as you think----everyone tried to ignore their existence as much as possible. Don't provoke them, and don't give them important tasks. You are so good, you let them pick up a big advantage for nothing. Ye Daoling's position is occupied, and his future is limitless."
"I understand." General Ling nodded. "I was not thoughtful enough this time."
"This is a dead knot. You can't untie it. Even if you didn't go to the party today, what about next time? What about the next time? There will always be a time to meet. You are just a supporting actor chosen by him." The old man finished the milk in the cup and said, "I am old and can't stay up late."
"Grandpa, I'm sorry." General Ling said with a guilty look on his face. If it weren't for him, Grandpa would have gone to bed by now.
"Okay, go back. Take a shower and have a good sleep. When you wake up, you will find that many things have not changed. You are still General Ling, and he is still Fang Yan. Your fifth sister-in-law may have some gossip, but don't take it to heart. Women always have long hair but short knowledge, and they don't understand the complexity and dangers of the world."
"Grandpa, I will go to Uncle Wu's house to apologize to him." General Ling said frankly. "This matter was caused by me, I must give him an explanation."
General Ling helped Grandpa lie down on the bed, covered him with bedding, turned off the lights in the room, and then closed the door and left.
Standing on the eaves, looking at the white snow in the courtyard, General Ling stretched out his hand towards the sky.
A small flower fell into the palm of his hand.
It feels light and cool, but not painful and not irritating at all.
He looked at the little flower and murmured, "Why should I bother with a little flower?"
The little flower felt the warmth of the palm and slowly melted into a drop of water.
"It will melt eventually."
-------
-------
Wearing a white shirt and a black suit, Fang Yan standing in front of the mirror couldn't believe that the handsome man was himself.
It is said that beauty is a feast to the eyes, and seeing a beautiful woman can make you skip meals. However, Fang Yan was relieved by beauty. When he saw his image in the mirror, the embarrassment, awkwardness and resentment suppressed in his heart were swept away, and he felt that his mood suddenly became sunny and bright.
"The clothes fit me perfectly, as if they were specially prepared for me." Fang Yan said with a smile. "Isn't it really prepared for me?"
The big man in black just smiled in response and didn't say anything else.
"By the way, can I meet your leader and say thank you to her?" Fang Yan asked.
The big man in black shook his head.
"no?"
"I'm just a bodyguard. I received an order from the intercom to bring you here to change your clothes." The big man in black said. "I have never seen our leader. I can only convey your request to the manager, and then the manager will pass it up one level at a time."
"----I won't force it." Fang Yan said. "Next time I have a chance to see her, I will definitely ask you to come-----"
The big man in black grinned and said, "That's great."
The charity auction had just begun, and the most exciting part had not yet arrived. But Fang Yan was too embarrassed to return to the scene.
God knows if anyone would misunderstand and think that he took off his clothes and ran naked on purpose
"This dress---can I wear it out?" Fang Yan asked.
"Whatever you want." said the bodyguard in black.
"Thank you." Fang Yan said. "Please take me out."
"No problem." said the bodyguard in black.
Fang Yan followed the black-clad bodyguard and walked cautiously toward the elevator, praying that he would not run into anyone familiar.
"Fang Yan----" A familiar voice came.
Fang Yan turned around and saw Xia Tian standing in the brightly lit side hall with a smile on his face.
Fang Yan opened his mouth to smile, but his smile was extremely twisted and painful.
He was too embarrassed to look Xia Tian in the eye and said, "The auction just started - why did you come out?"
"My assistant is here to help. I received a call and need to go back to deal with some things." Xia Tian said. She looked at Fang Yan's suit with interest and said, "It seems that you are not planning to stay any longer?"
"They are playing here - do you think it's still suitable for me to stay here?" Fang Yan asked seriously.
Xia Tian thought about it and said, "Not suitable."
Fang Yan's face was full of pain, and Xia Tian giggled.
Xia Tian took a step forward, naturally took Fang Yan's arm, and said to the black-clad bodyguard: "Sorry to bother you, I'll go with him."
The bodyguard in black knew that his part had ended here, so he took the initiative to step forward and press the elevator button, then respectfully saw the two off.
The elevator descended rapidly, and the scenery in front of us kept changing. The outside world looked like a blurry abstract painting.
"I'm sorry." Fang Yan looked at the ice and snow world outside and apologized sincerely.
"You knew it would be like this from the beginning, right?" Xia Tian and Fang Yan stood side by side, without turning around to look at Fang Yan's expression.
"I don't know." Fang Yan said.
Xia Tian frowned slightly. They were all smart people, and if Fang Yan was still unwilling to be honest with him, then wasn't her friendship a bit too wasted
"I don't know." Fang Yan explained. "This is a big gamble. I bet a lot with my friends, but whether I win or lose -- I can only leave it to fate."
"This is not your style." Xia Tian said. "Although I don't have many opportunities to interact with you, I know very well that you are a very cautious person."
"Yes. I am indeed very cautious. However, sometimes I have to take risks and do things----" Fang Yan said helplessly. "When they target me, I can get lucky and resolve the situation again and again. If they start to target my family and friends----it's too dangerous. I can't put my family and friends in danger."
"So you forced the general to take action?"
"Yes, he must come to cooperate with me in this scene. No one else can do it." Fang Yan said. "Only when he takes action, the pressure will be stronger, and the stakes will be more important----"
"What if, I mean, if -- you lose the bet?"
"So what?" Fang Yan asked back. "I am a nobody, and everyone knows I am a nobody. In their eyes, I have no dignity, no face, and nothing to lose. Even if I lose the bet and get kicked out by them, it will only make them laugh for a while. Maybe when they wake up tomorrow morning, many of them will forget my name. What loss is there for me?"
"Is this a sure-win bet for you?"
"I may not win, but I will definitely not lose," Fang Yan said.
clang-----
The elevator reaches the first floor.
Before the elevator door opened, Xia Tian turned around and looked at Fang Yan's profile and said, "I was very angry for a while. I was worried that I was also your pawn----"
"What about now?" Fang Yan asked seriously.
"Now --- I'm just a little worried. I'm worried that I'll become your pawn in the future."
Fang Yan grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth, and said, "Xia Tian, you don't need to worry about this, because we are friends. Very good friends."
Xia Tian was about to speak, but he saw the girl waiting in the snow, her eyes shining like the stars in the sky, and said with a smile: "So, what about her?" (To be continued)