As Zheng Jianshi was about to finish his meal, he saw Rui Xiaodan approaching. He ate the last bit of rice in his bowl, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and said, "Very good, very good. The food was excellent."
Rui Xiaodan smiled and replied, "Brother Zheng, you only eat vegetarian dishes, so it's easy to please you."
Zheng Jianshi said, "The matters are settled, and the meal is done. Xiaodan, I'll be heading back now."
Rui Xiaodan offered, "Alright, I'll take you to the airport station."
Zheng Jianshi picked up his briefcase, stood up, and politely said to Mrs. Rui, who had just walked over, "Ma'am, I'll be on my way. Thank you for your hospitality."
Mrs. Rui escorted them to the door, watching until they drove away from the Zizhuyuan Hotel.
Frankfurt Airport is the largest airport in Europe and Germany's biggest transportation hub, with five levels. The airport station, located on the underground floor, connects to major cities across Germany. The convergence of flights and trains here makes travel extremely convenient. Rui Xiaodan parked the car in the airport's underground parking lot and checked the schedules of the next trains and flights. Zheng Jianshi purchased a ticket for a 3:10 pm flight. At the boarding gate, they shook hands and said goodbye.
After seeing Zheng Jianshi off, Rui Xiaodan suddenly felt weak, both tired and hungry. She knew it was because the business with Ge Lü Shi Company was finally done, and her mother had agreed to let her return home early. Her restless heart was now at ease. She sat on a bench in the hall for a while, absentmindedly listening to the incomprehensible announcements, and watched the people passing by, her mind drifting to the ancient city and the faces of several smart individuals.
She couldn't help but wonder: Who are the truly smart people? Ye Xiaoming, Feng Shijie, Liu Bing—they're all clever. They don't need to know what can be done in Berlin, Paris, or Beijing. They don't need to know who Han Chufeng, Jenny, or Zheng Jianshi are, where the funding comes from, or the future social obligations... In short, as long as they have Ding Yuanying, they're set. They know that having Ding Yuanying means having his knowledge, wisdom, and social connections, using everything he can offer. They're smart people.
But how compatible are intelligence and wisdom, she pondered.
Rui Xiaodan returned to her home in Berlin around 3 p.m., which was 10 p.m. Beijing time. She knew Ding Yuanying wouldn't be asleep yet. She took two slices of bread from the fridge, spread some jam on them, grabbed a bottle of mineral water, and walked to the study while eating. She turned on the computer and then dialed a number.
When the call connected, Rui Xiaodan said, "Yuanying, it's Xiaodan. Brother Zheng came over, had a meal, and then returned to Berlin. I just got back from the airport. Now, open your computer, go to the Chinese Buddhist website, register a name, and enter the Dharma chat room. My nickname is Ugly Duckling, find me there, and we can chat in private."
Ding Yuanying responded, "Typing is too troublesome, let's talk on the phone."
Rui Xiaodan insisted, "It costs a lot to explain everything over the phone. Why not save where we can? We can chat in text, and I can copy and review what you said later. Don't be so inconsiderate. Alright, I'm hanging up."
She hung up, logged onto the Chinese Buddhist website, entered the Dharma chat room, and clicked on the private room option. A warning popped up: "Your private room is now open! Private rooms only display related conversations on separate screens and do not provide confidentiality. To maintain privacy, please select the 'Private Chat' option!" She then clicked on the "Private Chat" option.
After a while, a nickname "Old Fool" appeared in private chat, saying, "Xiaodan, it's Yuanying. I'm in the private chat room, you can start."
Seeing the nickname "Old Fool," Rui Xiaodan laughed. She briefed Ding Yuanying on the four agency agreements and the sale of two sets of speakers, as well as Jenny's commission for Berlin's "Audio World" magazine to conduct expert evaluations on Ge Lü Shi speakers and the evolving situation. She spoke objectively, without any personal judgment.
Ding Yuanying responded to Jenny's "commissioned evaluation" with eight words: "Adding a head on top of a head, a woman's perspective."
After discussing business, they moved on to personal matters—
Rui Xiaodan: The work here is done, I think I'll head back in the next few days, not detouring through Jerusalem, which would delay me for several more days.
Ding Yuanying: That's not good. The purpose of your visit is to accompany your mother. If you were on a mission, could you just say 'I miss you' and come back home?
Rui Xiaodan: Objection! Wrong setting of conditions! That's when there is no choice, but this is a choice. My mother sees my heart is not here and has agreed to let me return. I miss you, I miss you very much.
Ding Yuanying: Are you sure about coming back?
Rui Xiaodan: Sure, I can't wait another minute.
At this moment, Ding Yuanying stopped typing. Their conversation stalled for a minute, two minutes... Rui Xiaodan speculated in her mind: He's angry, he must be angry. She typed out a line: Are you angry?
The screen remained silent.
After waiting for a while, she wondered: Did he get disconnected? She then typed a string of question marks. The nickname "Old Fool" was still there, indicating he hadn't disconnected. After another wait with no response from Ding Yuanying, she decided to state her viewpoint. She carefully chose her words as she typed: Yuanying, I'm a police officer, and even I don't live as strictly by "should" as you do. Look at you, everything you do is governed by "should" and "as it is," living entirely by rules. Can't we live a little by "I want"? Living with such precision, even kissing is scheduled, is that a good way to live? I have an opinion on this, I appeal...
Before she could finish and send the message, Ding Yuanying's text appeared on the screen.
Ding Yuanying: I just inquired at the Beijing airport ticket office. There are two flights a week from Beijing to Tel Aviv, one the day after tomorrow. It departs at 15:50 Beijing time and arrives at 21:10 local time. I'll fly to Beijing tomorrow morning to get the visa on the same day, ensuring the trip. There are many flights from Frankfurt to Tel Aviv. Coordinate your time with mine, and we'll meet in Tel Aviv.
Rui Xiaodan was stunned, her heart racing. This sudden and completely unexpected good news left her at a loss. After a few seconds, she deleted the unsent message and typed: You're being stubborn; you still want me to detour to Jerusalem.
Ding Yuanying: Do you think I can be so indifferent to "I miss you"? "I miss you" and "necessary information reserve" are not contradictory. Their intersection is in Jerusalem.
Rui Xiaodan didn't know how to express her excitement. Suddenly, she thought of the "Emoticon" function on the chat interface and sent a "Touched" code. The screen displayed: "Ugly Duckling is moved to tears, snot and tears flowing."
Ding Yuanying: One condition, it's not convenient for me to let others know I'm going to Tel Aviv.
Rui Xiaodan: Why?
Ding Yuanying: Personal privacy, obviously a romantic trip from afar. I can't bear the embarrassment.
Rui Xiaodan: Hahaha... Personal privacy is legally protected. Alright. If you and I tour Jerusalem together, it won't just be information reserve, it'll be an eternal memory. Not to argue, but cultural insight isn't something everyone can achieve. I can't see much myself, just little feelings and empty things.
After typing this, she sent two more emoticons. One was: "Ugly Duckling listens to Old Fool and faints, foaming at the mouth!" The other was: "Ugly Duckling takes out a plaster, warms it over a small stove, and slaps it on Old Fool's mouth!"
Watching the computer screen, Rui Xiaodan's heart was filled with a warm sense of happiness.