The ancient city lay 360 kilometers from Beijing. Ruì Xiǎodān took a night train, arriving at Beijing Railway Station at 7:30 in the morning after more than four hours of travel. Exiting with the crowd, she paused to survey her surroundings. Spotting a young man holding a sign with her name on it, she recognized him as Xiǎo Zhào, who had driven Dīng Yuányīng to the ancient city and whom she had seen at Nancun Community.
Hurrying over, she scanned the area but saw no sign of Xiāo Yàwén. It puzzled her since they had arranged to meet via phone.
Xiǎo Zhào also recognized her and greeted her warmly, "Miss Ruì, hello!"
"Hello," Ruì Xiǎodān replied, smiling.
Xiǎo Zhào introduced the man beside him, "This is Mr. Hán, our President of Zhèngtiān Group."
Zhèngtiān was a well-known domestic brand. Ruì Xiǎodān hadn't expected that the company president would come to meet her so early, making her subconsciously feel that Xiāo Yàwén had already been there and chose to avoid her. This left her with a vague sense of discomfort, and at that moment, a word she seldom considered flashed in her mind: class.
Hán Chǔfēng, dressed simply yet elegantly, with a steady, authoritative gaze, spoke politely and congenially, "Miss Ruì, hello. I'm Hán Chǔfēng, Yuányīng's friend. No need for formalities, let's get in the car."
The three walked to the parking lot and got into a black Mercedes S600. Xiǎo Zhào drove while Hán Chǔfēng sat in the front, and Ruì Xiǎodān in the back as the car left the station.
In the car, Hán Chǔfēng courteously said, "Miss Ruì, we've arranged accommodation for you at Zhèngtiān Hotel. Settle in and take care of your business. I won't be free during the day, but let's have dinner together tonight."
"Thank you, Mr. Hán, for the trouble," Ruì Xiǎodān responded. "I'll contact Xiāo Yàwén soon. I'd like to have lunch with her around noon, and in the afternoon, I plan to explore some shops by myself."
Hán Chǔfēng nodded, "I know Miss Xiāo, she's a fine person."
After a 20-minute drive, they arrived at Zhèngtiān Hotel. Uniformed attendants promptly opened the car doors. Inside the hotel, as they waited for Xiǎo Zhào by the elevator in the lobby, people continuously greeted Hán Chǔfēng as "Mr. Hán."
Shortly, Xiǎo Zhào returned with the room keys, and the three took the elevator to the 19th floor. A floor attendant led them to room 1901, opened the door, and briefly introduced the services and amenities before Hán Chǔfēng dismissed her with a gesture.
"Miss Ruì, the restaurant is on the second floor. I can't join you for breakfast due to time constraints. Rest this morning after your night train. Xiǎo Zhào will pick you up at 11:30. If you wish to shop in the afternoon, please let Xiǎo Zhào accompany you to our Zhèngtiān Commercial Plaza."
Ruì Xiǎodān nodded, "Alright."
Hán Chǔfēng said, "Then I'll take my leave."
Ruì Xiǎodān saw them to the door.
After they left, she shut the door and surveyed the suite composed of a bedroom, living room, study, and bathroom. Each room was tastefully decorated in an elegant European style, with every detail exuding luxury. The opulence of the suite and the recent events seemed to create an omnipresent pressure around her, leaving her with a vague sense of unease. She sat on the sofa in the living room for a while before heading downstairs for breakfast.
Her mind was restless, still thinking of Dīng Yuányīng sweating in his stuffy room and the records he had sold for a few dozen yuan. A surge of respect and sorrow welled up within her.
After breakfast, she returned to her room and called Xiāo Yàwén, who was already at work. She deliberately avoided the topic of not seeing Xiāo Yàwén at the station, instead arranging to meet for lunch. Xiāo Yàwén suggested they meet at the entrance of Hongda Building in Beijing.