Xie Shang opened the document bag and took out the materials inside.
He Dongzhou leaned in, "Do you know her?"
The chairman of the Zhou Group's successor, Fu Ying.
Fu Ying was also a legendary figure, marrying into a wealthy family at a young age, and within months, she became a half-decision-maker for the Zhou Family.
Xie Shang said, "A client."
He Dongzhou knew the rules of his pawn shop and didn't ask further.
"I heard from Gu Kaiyun that you stayed at Lileitu for a week."
"Mhm."
"What were you doing there?"
Xie Shang turned a page of the document, "Playing."
He Dongzhou sat sideways, resting one hand on the back of the chair, propping up his face, facing Xie Shang, teasing him as he watched, "It must be nice to inherit family wealth, no need to work."
The remark was just a tease. Aside from the pawnshop, Xie Shang also blended fragrances. The more frequently he changed his scent, the busier he was.
Xiao Congcong's eyes nearly popped out as he watched; this He Dog and Xie The Fourth, flirting and bantering so much, they were like a pair of adulterers. (Please forgive the inappropriate language of a poor student)
They don't get along? They seem close enough to sleep in the same bed! He remembered that He Dog and Xie The Fourth attended the same school when they were studying abroad.
Xie Shang suddenly looked up.
Xiao Congcong quickly shifted his gaze, the reflexive action was so quick he nearly twisted his neck.
"Dongzhou, do you believe someone could cast a spell?"
Such a far-fetched question did not seem like something Xie Shang would ask.
He Dongzhou caressed his cup, pondering, and replied quite seriously, "I think you could."
At the table, at least eleven eyes landed on Xie Shang, five frankly and one sneakily.
Xie Shang's romantic entanglements were always overwhelmingly numerous.
Although he was a mischievous bamboo shoot, possessing the rebellious charisma unbecoming of a scholarly family, he also had the profound knowledge and proper upbringing that one should have. He was skilled in the four arts of zither, Go, calligraphy, painting, fragrance blending, and chanting scriptures, and would occasionally pay respects to Buddha. He was an elegant, Zen-like mischievous bamboo shoot.
He wore a black shirt, sandalwood beads on his wrist, and sat there nonchalantly flipping through pages, his beautiful eyes seeming to contain a thousand glowing pearls.
Just like casting a potent spell.
Xie Shang closed the document, "I'm leaving."
He Dongzhou waved his hand, not bothering to see him out. Xie Shang's visit was just for picking up the documents, not a reunion.
Birthday Boy, standing next to him, weakly said, "The cake hasn't been cut yet."
"I'm not eating it."
Xie Shang got up and left.
Was this him being angry? Xiao Congcong ruffled his hair, his face full of reluctance, as he quickly followed out. Catching up in the hallway, Xiao Congcong mustered his courage to approach.
"Fourth Brother Xie..."
Having called him Fourth Brother, he hoped for at least a bit of face-saving respect.
Xie Shang slowed his steps, patiently waiting for him to speak.
Xiao Congcong touched his head, his ears, stubbornly mustered his resolve for a while, and finally admitted with difficulty, "I was drunk, just talking big earlier, don't hold it against me."
Xie Shang did hold grudges, very much so, and once he did, he made sure to reciprocate, and paying back the grudge wasn't enough—the interest had to be repaid too.
Xie Shang stopped, "Then apologize."
Although he held grudges, he wasn't easily angered, having excellent upbringing and very stable emotions.
Xiao Congcong sincerely said, "I'm sorry."
Xie Shang smiled, "Alright, I forgive you, I won't hold it against you."
Hmm... all of a sudden, he seemed so gentle.
Snap out of it! Xiao Congcong, wake up! Don't get entranced by his charm! Xiao Congcong shook himself awake, completely sober now, "Then, Fourth Brother Xie, take your time leaving."
"Goodbye."
Xie Shang left.
Xiao Congcong stood still, dumbfounded: How could there be such a gentle downpour?
It took her a while to come back to her senses, wiping the unfounded sweat from her palms: That was close, she almost got enchanted by Xie Shang's beguiling words, just like those other women.
At the entrance of the hotel.
"Xie Shang."
It was the lady with the light fragrance.
She gathered all her courage, "I've had some drinks, could you give me a lift?"
She had seen Xie Shang at some events, but they weren't acquainted.
Xie Shang was not close to any ladies, some said he had a bad personality, but actually, he had quite a few friends. He just never made female friends.
"Sorry, it's not on my way."
But he never asked her where she was going.
He was very polite and gentlemanly, "Do you need me to call a cab for you?"
The light fragrance lady shook her head, "No, that won't be necessary."
Not everyone could reach the moon in the sky; she knew her limits and didn't want to embarrass herself. One step forward was enough, trying once was enough.
"Then I'll take my leave first."
Xie Shang nodded.
The lady left before him.
Imperial Court offered valet parking service, and a staff member brought Xie Shang's car around and handed him the keys.
After Xie Shang got into his car, he received a phone call.
"Xingxing."
The person on the other end of the call addressed him this way.
Xingxing was Xie Shang's childhood nickname, now rarely used by anyone. His mother, Su Nanzhi, didn't like his formal name.
He was previously known as Xie Shang, ranking fourth among his generation in the Xie family. He had older brothers and sisters who had all passed away, with his second uncle's daughter being the third in line.
His grandfather, Xie Jingxian, had consulted a fortune-teller who warned that his generation within the Xie family had a thin fortune and that it would be difficult for the fourth child to survive. Old Lady Xie inquired about a solution, and the fortune-teller suggested a name that could deceive the gods and ward off disasters. Thus, the name Xie Shang was given, signifying to the gods and ghosts that the fourth member of the Xie family had already passed, so the messengers of death should no longer bother them.
Xie Shang didn't believe in ghosts or gods and changed his own name after turning eighteen, renaming himself Xie Shang.
Xie Jingxian also gave him a courtesy name: Ji Fu.
*****
Lotus Pond Street was an old street, narrow and difficult for cars to turn around. Wen Changling didn't ask the driver to go into the alley but got off at the head of the street instead.
The driver wasn't very familiar with the area and stopped the car at a spot Wen Changling didn't recognize. The paths in this region were convoluted; during the urban development phase, the houses were painted the same color, covered with identical tiles, planted with the same flowers, and adorned with the same lanterns. They all looked similar at a glance. The intersecting deep alleys and lanes resembled a maze, and it was hard to find your way.
Most importantly, Wen Changling had a poor sense of direction. She was terrible at navigating.
She wandered back and forth, repeatedly ending up at the same spot. It was almost evening, and finding her way would become even more difficult once it got dark. The sky overhead was turning overcast, hinting at impending rain. Granny Zhu was advanced in age and had mobility issues, so Wen Changling didn't want to trouble her to come and meet her. Instead, she found a diner, ordered a bowl of wontons to eat, and continued her search afterwards.
For the fourth time, she found herself in a dead-end alley. The sky had completely darkened, and the mistaken path she took had no streetlights. Annoyed, she kicked pebbles on the ground, wondering if she should bother Sister Tao at the fruit store.
Someone was laughing behind her.
Wen Changling turned around and saw Xie Shang in the flash of lightning, appearing before her as if he had descended from the heavens, unexpectedly and without warning.
"Street number."
She was bewildered.
Xie Shang approached her, "I'm asking for the street number."
Wen Changling slowly regained her composure and gave him Granny Zhu's street number.
Using his phone's flashlight for illumination, Xie Shang led the way, "Follow me."