It was convenient for Cui Bingbing to come knocking on the weekend, asking Jia Li for all of Liu Jun’s photos. When Cui Bingbing arrived at the Qian family home, it was already quite late – weekends she also needed to sleep in, but when she arrived at the Qian house, Qian Hongming was still lying high like a proud dragon. Cui Bingbing thought to herself that this guy was overdoing it with wine and women, but outwardly told Jia Li that modern people had stressful work lives – she had to take a nap after work every day to recover her energy and have an appetite for dinner. Jia Li agreed, saying that the family’s entire livelihood rested on Qian Hongming’s shoulders, so he was indeed quite hard-pressed. Jia Li led Cui Bingbing into the study, where she had organized all photos, both film and digital, either scanned or directly imported into the computer for filing. So, although Cui Bingbing had thought today’s photo hunt would be a massive project, it turned out she only needed to spend some time burning discs.

While Jia Li helped with the disc burning, Cui Bingbing was stunned by the two entire walls of bookshelves. Her own family could at least be considered intellectual, but compared to the Qian family’s rich collection of books, they were dwarfed. Cui Bingbing was dazzled for quite a while before she could settle down to browse roughly. By the time Jia Li finished burning the discs, Cui Bingbing had also quickly browsed through the two walls, unable to grasp the central theme of these books. There were many novels from ancient and modern times, Chinese and foreign; many Japanese manga books and discs; some niche film and TV discs; Chinese and foreign art treatises; appreciations of coffee, red wine, jade, and such; cultivation and breeding of flowers, birds, fish, and insects; literary works; Sanskrit books; and many Chinese and foreign fashion magazines, etc. Only then did Cui Bingbing understand what Jia Li did at home all day – to finish reading all these books would indeed be, she admitted, a massive project. But Cui Bingbing also honestly admitted her worldliness. She thought of how Liu Jun often praised Jia Li for being unmoved by wealth and riches, remaining simple in dress and manner, but looking at these two walls of books, they were all bought with real gold and silver. Qian Hongming deserved great credit – how could this not be called luxurious?

Jia Li handed the burned disc to Cui Bingbing. Not good at conversation and not liking to get too close to people, seeing Cui Bingbing lingering before her bookshelf, she said: “If you like any book, feel free to borrow it.”

Cui Bingbing pointed to the two walls of books and asked with slight exaggeration: “Have you read all of these? Your brain is comparable to a central computer room.”

“How could I finish reading them all?” Jia Li smiled.

“You’re being modest. How could you possibly buy so many books if you couldn’t finish reading them?”

“I really can’t finish them all, but when I see good books, I can’t help but be delighted at the sight.”

Cui Bingbing almost coaxingly said: “But whenever you have free time, you can make a cup of tea, sit in the study, and always pull out a book you want to read.” Cui Bingbing thought of the Qian family’s live-in housekeeper and believed Jia Li wouldn’t lack leisure time. She thought to herself that life was unfair – she wanted to be this leisurely, too.

Jia Li, unaware of the probe, still smiled and said: “Yes, or watch discs for an afternoon. After Xiao Suihua started school, I have more time.”

Cui Bingbing hardly knew what to say, almost sighing about life, fortunately Qian Hongming finally appeared from behind. After exchanging pleasantries, he asked: “Liu Jun didn’t come? Are we still having lunch together?”

“He went to a lecture early this morning. An economist from what’s supposedly a policy research center came here to speak. The ticket price was very high, and it’s not something you can attend just by having money – his ticket was allocated specifically to their industrial zone. Usually, after it ends, a few familiar people will have dinner together. If I only invited you to lunch alone, would you be willing?”

“I’m afraid I couldn’t get an invitation from you, Deputy President Cui. How many people are falling over themselves wanting to have lunch with you?”

“That was in the past when I could enjoy the shade under ICBC’s big tree. Now working at a small bank, I’m the one chasing after bosses asking to treat them to meals. Unfortunately, bosses generally can’t get up on weekend mornings, lunch is always impossible to arrange, and for dinner, I have to go home to accompany Liu Jun.”

Qian Hongming smiled, knowing this was the truth. “Has Liu Jun’s relationship with the industrial zone improved? Or has the management committee director been replaced?”

“Still the same team, but who has a grudge against taxes and profits? Everyone is smart and practical – they won’t offend major taxpayers. For example, you, Manager Qian – ask any bank in this city outside the big four, which one would dare offend you.”

Qian Hongming felt infinite emotion hearing this – this was society, a snobbish society. “Can’t compare with Liu Jun. Liu Jun is in the real industry and gets attention. For example, tickets to lectures like this are allocated specifically – even if there were twice as many, it wouldn’t be our turn.”

“You really shouldn’t compare with him. He can run away as a monk, but not to the temple – such a big, conspicuous target that he can’t keep a low profile even if he wanted to. When any policy comes down, they make rules for people like them first; when there’s any natural disaster or man-made calamity, they find people like them for donations first. The tribute money paid year after year should be more than enough to buy some lecture qualifications, right? It’s all transactions.”

But Qian Hongming smiled and said, “But that’s still a qualification.”

After leaving the Qian family’s door, Cui Bingbing was still muttering to herself – this Qian Hongming was now thriving, so why was he always fixated on competing with Liu Jun? According to Liu Jun, they had supposedly competed since childhood in moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor education, even in their classmates’ votes. Now they’d changed battlefields, so competing in other things was natural. But Cui Bingbing didn’t think so. She also saw Liu Jun occasionally compare himself with Qian Hongming, but he didn’t put as much thought into it.

Today was the first time Liu Jun entered Yang Xun’s hotel. Now he was qualified to sit among local entrepreneurs, listening to that economist he’d heard of since university days giving a lecture. Beside him were friends like Shen Huadong. He saw that Yang Xun was also present – Yang Xun naturally sat quite far forward, as he now had that qualification. The economist spoke about the development of the private economy since the reform and opening up, and interpreted the state’s recent policies toward the private economy. Speaking of this and that, he got to this year’s hot topic: the Jiangsu Tieben incident. Immediately, the vast majority of people present pricked up their ears, listening even more intently.

The Tieben incident was a major event of the year that private entrepreneurs of any scale couldn’t ignore. Liu Jun first learned of the incident from the material suppliers. He immediately went online to search and, based on his years of experience, quickly pieced together the outline of the matter in his mind. Discussing it with friends like Shen Huadong and seeking confirmation from more material suppliers, he felt his speculation was pretty much on target – central and local policies were at odds, bringing disaster to enterprises. But the economist analyzed this incident layer by layer from another angle, greatly broadening Liu Jun’s horizons and finally making him understand the deep reasons behind the conflict between central and local policies – it all came down to “interests.” The expert’s interpretation opened a window for Liu Jun to understand China’s problems, allowing him to re-recognize policies from the central level down to the local levels, seeing through the thinking behind various rules and regulations. In this world where regulations were wielded as either big sticks or placards according to need, he could now clearly understand what could be done openly, what could be done secretly, what could be done, and what couldn’t be done. So that’s how it was.

Of course, there were things the economist couldn’t say too explicitly, so those below whispered among themselves, making their interpretations. Many were experienced people who understood with just a hint. People like Shen Baotian sitting in the front row rarely moved – Liu Jun believed those were all masters who had long since applied theory to practice. And Liu Jun was even more certain that Song Yunhui was among those the economist used as examples for interpretation.

After the meeting dispersed, Liu Jun went to the restroom. Coming out, he happened to bump into Yang Xun hurrying over. The two rarely faced each other at close range. Yang Xun looked at Liu Jun – he had completely shed his student air from years ago, his whole person radiating powerful tension. Liu Jun looked at Yang Xun, a successful man, where appearance and height were secondary; the key was a certain vital spirit. Yang Xun was presentable. Both involuntarily stopped, quietly confronting each other for a while before Yang Xun said, “We’re having dinner with the expert later. Are you coming?”

“Wouldn’t want to intrude, thank you.”

“He came down to give lectures, but he also wants to collect firsthand information. Everyone benefits mutually.”

Yang Xun spoke while urgently rushing into a stall that someone had just vacated. Liu Jun was stunned for a moment, then walked away. Could it be that the two of them were becoming friends through fighting?

After Liu Jun finished lunch with Shen Huadong and others and returned home, he was surprised to see the usually active Cui Bingbing staying home obediently on the weekend, sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window reading a book while facing a curtain of raindrops. Liu Jun walked over to check the cover – it was actually about tea culture. So Liu Jun said without hesitation: “Which great deity is fond of tea?”

“Do you think I’m cramming to flatter some great deity? This book was recommended by Jia Li. She says tea can brighten the eyes, and this book can calm the heart.”

“What insights have you gained? Help clear my blood pressure.”

“I just started reading. Jia Li has a whole room of books – either they’re extremely refined ones I respectfully keep my distance from, or they’re quite shallow ones I don’t want to spend time on. Uh, I can’t call them shallow – I should say they’re not suitable for my age and experience. But it’s hard to refuse such sincere kindness, so I had to borrow one and at least use it as a reference book.”

“Reading is very personal. You two have opposite personalities, so your reading interests have no intersection. Didn’t you take any books that Hongming reads?”

“Your brother Hongming has no time to read books. Was today’s lecture informative?”

“Very informative. If you make crab roe casserole for dinner, I’ll tell you about it.”

“Dinner, crab roe, cholesterol, high blood lipids. You decide for yourself. Or you can go to the gym now and run five kilometers.”

“Hmm… Do you think Jia Li would refuse Hongming’s gourmet requests? We…”

“I remind you again, Jia Li and I have no comparability, and it’s not just a matter of personality differences – we have completely different life philosophies.”

Liu Jun smiled and answered his noisy phone. It was Song Yunhui calling, asking him to come to the Song house to observe a meeting – supposedly a feasibility meeting for a key project. Liu Jun immediately breathed into his palm and sniffed carefully, saying: “Can you smell that I’ve been drinking? I had less than half a glass of red wine at lunch.”

“Is the great deity Song so terrifying? I have gum in my bag – take two pieces. Not even letting people rest on weekends.”

“Manager Song wouldn’t contact me without a reason. When he does, there’s something, and something big. He’s always looked after me.”

Liu Jun put back on the suit he’d just taken off and hurried out again. Cui Bingbing became idle again, sniffing at her right shoulder where Liu Jun had just leaned against her – there seemed to be a scent there, but when she sniffed again, the scent disappeared. This elusive scent disturbed her ability to read calmly, so she stared blankly at the rain curtain. When a friend’s phone call brought her back to her senses, she cursed herself inwardly – of all things to learn, why learn from Jia Li? But two hours later, when she saw Liu Jun return, she immediately felt fulfilled again. She realized the problem was serious – she was seriously becoming like Jia Li.

“The great deity Song doesn’t rest on weekends either? Isn’t he afraid of complaints from his wife?” Cui Bingbing followed Liu Jun as he changed clothes, smoothly catching the suit Liu Jun had taken off.

“Manager Song’s company management keeps their phones on twenty-four hours – no one dares forget to charge them. His wife told me she just likes men who keep their feet on the ground doing real industry.”

“Right, I’m the same as the great deity Song’s wife.” Cui Bingbing finally escaped the crisis of being like Jia Li. “The great deity Song’s wife is very wealthy. When she married the great deity Song, did they sign any prenuptial agreement?”

“Not clear. I just went to Manager Song’s house. His son came home today – the little guy is extremely clever and adorable.” Liu Jun looked seriously at Cui Bingbing, meaningfully. “Every time I see him, I envy Manager Song’s son. When can I have one?”

“Very simple – it’s just a matter of your attitude.”

Liu Jun closed his eyes, and Song Yunhui’s son Keke’s clever figure flew back and forth before his eyes. The serious Song Yunhui rarely allowed his son to cause minor disruptions during meetings. Even though Liu Jun was only observing the meeting, he had boldly reached out to hold Keke several times today. He steeled his heart and said, “I won’t change my decision. I hope you’ll rationally understand my attitude. Starting today, I’m moving to live in the city. I hope you’ll consider calmly.”

“What do you mean?” Cui Bingbing saw Liu Jun calmly spread his hands and shrug, his expression like facing an ordinary negotiation opponent, and her heart broke. “If I don’t sign, are you prepared to propose breaking up? In other words, are you threatening me with a breakup?”

“In a zero-sum game, someone must exit for the situation to improve. Don’t speculate maliciously. This standoff isn’t a solution. With all measures already taken and me at my wits’ end, we need to separate for a while and think calmly.”

“This isn’t fair. Only you dare propose exiting for a while – I don’t dare. You’ve figured out that I can’t leave you.”

“That’s what you think. Men also have feelings and a reputation. If you’re willing, please discuss modifying the agreement details with a lawyer. Sigh, in your view, this is another heartless negotiation. I don’t dare participate, lest I be unable to face you later. I’m leaving. Don’t forget to lock the door and close the windows before sleeping tonight.”

“Wait, this is your territory – I should be the one leaving.”

Liu Jun acted as if he hadn’t heard, striding out the door, getting into his car, and speeding away. He had already seen tears gathering in strong Cui Bingbing’s eyes, and he feared his heart would soften. But this deadlock had to be broken, and he thought quite rationally that while it was still okay for him, for Cui Bingbing, the biological age for reproduction was rapidly approaching its end. Could the two of them continue cohabiting ambiguously like this forever?

Liu Jun drove to the roadside outside and stopped, only then reining in his rashness as he thought of a serious problem: what if Cui Bingbing refused and packed up to leave for good? With their relationship full of countless variables, unable to establish a mathematical model, he could only use unreliable probability analysis. He gambled that Cui Bingbing leaving in a huff was only a low-probability event.

But today was a busy weekend – Luo Qing called him again, requesting a meeting.