But today was a busy weekend – Luo Qing called him again, requesting a meeting. Liu Jun arranged to have dinner with Luo Qing two hours later. He had a premonition that Luo Qing’s previous mention of coming to work at Tengfei might have developed, but he didn’t know to what extent. Luo Qing said on the phone that he’d bring his wife along. After hanging up, Liu Jun’s emotions from rushing out of the villa earlier had calmed considerably. Looking back, he thought his actions were rather inappropriate and wondered whether he should go back to speak kindly. But after hesitating in the car for a long time, he still decided not to return.

When he first expressed his marriage intentions, he had told Cui Bingbing about Tengfei’s historical fund retention issues and proposed signing a prenuptial agreement, which was refused because it would severely damage the supposedly sacred atmosphere of a marriage proposal. Then, considering that Cui Bingbing might have misunderstood the agreement, he simply consulted with a lawyer to draft a proposal and gave it to Cui Bingbing to review. The result was even more like stirring up a hornet’s nest – from then on, he truly couldn’t even mention the matter. Any mention would be “hurting feelings.” Instead, Cui Bingbing herself could bring up the agreement to attack him, while he couldn’t express rationality and could only be required to very gentlemanly accept Cui Bingbing’s emotional reactions. Today, since he had already walked out, going back would be even less helpful in solving the problem.

Suddenly, a familiar white shadow flashed before Liu Jun’s eyes. He steadied himself and looked again – wasn’t that Cui Bingbing’s car disappearing in the distance? Cui Bingbing ultimately couldn’t possibly live alone on his territory. Liu Jun turned back to go home. Sure enough, there was a note on the table that read: “From now on, I am a firm believer in attitude determinism.” Liu Jun placed the note back on the table, thinking to himself that this was no longer a problem probability theory could solve – it required chaos theory.

It was still raining outside. Spring rain was particularly persistent and tangled, going on endlessly. Liu Jun’s mood hit rock bottom. After thinking for a long time, he first called his father to tell him not to bother Cui Bingbing with anything recently, to avoid being caught in the middle and creating more conflict.

Liu Shitang didn’t know the situation: “If there’s something you can’t bring yourself to say, Dad will say it for you. What are you fighting about? You used to be smooth-talking when you were studying, but now you’re getting more and more serious. You can even manage to fight with a woman.”

“It’s not fighting – it’s still about that prenuptial agreement…”

“Ah, this matter absolutely cannot be compromised. Women nowadays are too shrewd – they won’t fulfill obligations, won’t take responsibility, but want to claim all the rights. Where in the world is there such a good deal?”

Liu Jun thought his father’s words were quite formal. “A’San isn’t that kind of person. She just can’t understand it. I’ll handle this matter myself.”

“What do you mean she’s not that kind of person? You think things are good between you now, but wait a few years until you fall out, then you’ll see – this type of woman is the most vicious. When Yang Xun’s wife divorced, do you know how much she demanded? As ruthless as slaughtering a pig. A’San spends every day soaking in the bank – she wouldn’t dare lend money to others without signing contracts, would she? She’s taking advantage of your good nature. ‘Hurting feelings’ this, ‘hurting feelings’ that – she’s selling feelings for money. If that’s not shrewd, what is? Does she think she’s a princess or something? Even her parents wouldn’t leave her all their inheritance before dying, let alone a husband. What kind of hysteria is this?”

Liu Jun frowned and tried to interrupt several times unsuccessfully, having to wait for his father to finish. “I’ll handle this matter myself, Dad – don’t interfere. Don’t say such things in the future either. A’San isn’t that kind of person. I have an appointment and am going out. Don’t call me while I’m driving.”

Liu Jun went upstairs to check – everywhere showed traces of hasty packing. The bathroom that had been lined with bottles and jars now had only a few scattered ones remaining. Cui Bingbing’s departure wasn’t just for show. Liu Jun put all the drawers and cabinet doors back in place. The room quickly returned to its original orderly simplicity, looking as if nothing had happened, but Liu Jun’s mood was different – he suddenly felt somewhat lonely. He pushed the feeling to the back of his mind and went into the city to meet Luo Qing.

Luo Qing’s wife came from a civil servant family. Although her parents didn’t hold high positions, they were ultimately government people. They were financially comfortable now and wouldn’t worry about retirement later. Luo Qing was resourceful, cutting a bloody path through countless suitors to win the beauty. When Luo Qing got married, Liu Jun attended the wedding banquet. Seeing Luo Qing’s wife again this time, she was heavily pregnant, obviously expecting. Luo Qing walked very carefully while supporting his wife. Liu Jun felt quite emotional – he was older than Luo Qing but couldn’t even get married.

The three sat down to order food, with both men entrusting the ordering responsibility to Luo Qing’s wife. Luo Qing was straightforward: “Manager Liu, my wife has finally consented today. I’ll let her tell you herself. Tomorrow I can go through the procedures and return to work at Tengfei in the afternoon.”

Liu Jun had expected something to happen at dinner, but hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly. He was momentarily speechless, looking at Luo Qing’s wife. She smiled and said, “Although I’m unwilling, so many people are scrambling to take civil service exams, how could he bear to give it up? But if I don’t agree, he’ll go mad. Please, Manager Liu, take him in.”

Her words were delightful, and Liu Jun was exceptionally pleased to hear them. A certain indescribable emotion in his chest suddenly fermented violently. Liu Jun suddenly stood up, pulled up the laughing Luo Qing, and embraced him forcefully. “Brother, I’m very happy, extremely happy. I won’t say anything more.”

Luo Qing’s wife had originally only agreed because her husband had worn her down, but seeing Liu Jun’s genuine emotion, and when the two big men separated, she saw that Liu Jun’s eyes were reddened, she was surprised but also became wholeheartedly committed to the decision. It seemed indeed as Luo Qing had said – the boss appreciated and valued him highly, so he had to go.

But Luo Qing was even more surprised. The embrace was fine – with Liu Jun’s temperament, when they played basketball or soccer together, he liked to embrace when they won. But Liu Jun’s reddened eyes were extremely abnormal. Liu Jun also noticed the couple’s “O”-shaped mouths and said somewhat embarrassedly: “I got emotional. But Luo Qing, your return can not only help me fill the company’s current most deficient area but also bring the company’s sales into modern management. Your unconditional, voluntary return also represents the most sincere and powerful support. On my path pursuing ideals, I’m no longer alone. Brother! Thank you – my confidence has multiplied.”

Luo Qing’s wife felt somewhat moved hearing this, but Luo Qing understood Liu Jun’s excitement. He and Liu Jun often talked about the deficiencies in their hearts, about society’s lack of understanding, about the difficulties of persisting on this path. They often felt deeply emotional about these things. “Manager Liu, I’ll be very steady from now on – steady in heart and steady in action.”

But Liu Jun naturally wouldn’t set any conditions. At the dinner table, he brought out the sales department adjustment plan and new allocation plan he’d been considering these past few days to discuss with Luo Qing. Summed up, there were mainly two points: first, they must immediately begin comprehensively establishing Tengfei’s image as a modern high-tech enterprise; second, sales commissions should be linked to sales performance, with commissions calculated progressively – the more you do, the higher the commission rate. Luo Qing also shared his views, and the two efficiently and quickly drafted a preliminary plan.

After sending the Luo Qing couple home, Liu Jun went to find his father. But after knocking for a long time with no response, just as he was puzzled and going downstairs, his father called him in the elevator, telling him to wait in the lobby downstairs. Liu Jun rolled his eyes and had to wait. After quite a while, his father came down wearing a bright, long-sleeved, thick cotton T-shirt, looking rather embarrassed. When father and son met, Liu Jun was even blamed for not calling ahead to make an appointment.

Liu Jun had to pretend not to know his father had a sex life, acting nonchalant while discussing tonight’s meeting with Luo Qing in detail. Liu Shitang listened carefully to the preliminary plan, nodding throughout. Liu Jun had consulted him several times while considering the plan these past few days, so hearing that the results after discussing with Luo Qing were about the same as expected, Liu Shitang was quite approving.

“That kid Luo Qing – we can say we watched him grow up to success. He’s not bad. But I’ve always been unable to let go of my worries. From the first day I started being a boss until now, I’ve never dared to let go of marketing, because this area is the frontline of money contact. Others don’t know, but I’m too clear about how much hanky-panky can happen here. Honestly, I don’t dare let go of this area. If I weren’t overwhelmed, I’d fight for my life to continue.”

“Yes. And if Dad hadn’t personally managed marketing during Tengfei’s takeoff years, I couldn’t have been so worry-free, and the company couldn’t have taken off so smoothly. But Manager Song has repeatedly told me that the company must establish a high-tech image, on one hand, the company’s external representatives, and on the other hand, the company’s flagship products. Although we’ve substantially achieved the latter, we still need the former’s promotion. Dad’s promotion is a bit off-target. Fortunately, Luo Qing hasn’t abandoned technology – this is very important. Although his technical skills don’t rank in the company, he has a foundation and can learn, and can apply what he learns to verbal expression. Luo Qing also has a strength in interpersonal relationship management. No matter what, for someone who quit Tengfei, no matter how magnanimous I am, I couldn’t be completely without grudges. But Luo Qing has always made it impossible for me to harbor grudges – this is his ability. His rapid rise to section chief was not by chance…”

“But sales is often a kind of talent. And for someone in charge of sales, you have to give them great authority to handle under-the-table transactions. This is the most worrying aspect. Especially for someone like Luo Qing, who’s been in government, some parts of such people are timid as mice, not daring to take responsibility, while other parts are bold as brass. They’re too familiar with the rules.”

“Management in this area will be a test for me. I’ll pay attention and increase contact with clients in the future.”

“Purchasing – you can never let go of that. All profit is in purchasing. No, I can start managing purchasing for you.”

“Good.”

“There’s one more thing. Notify finance that after the handover to Luo Qing, I’ll take two million to play with new stock subscriptions. From now on, I’ll be a retired old man.”

Liu Jun pointed upstairs: “Related to the person upstairs?”

“My business – you mind your own. You should manage your own troublesome woman properly.”

“Fine, as long as it’s not a man upstairs. Dad, with Luo Qing able to return, I’m very happy today. Originally wanted to have a few good drinks with you to celebrate properly. Luo Qing is still young with unlimited potential. Most importantly, his jumping out of that status first shows his strong inner identification. Dad, what do you think he identifies with?”

“Who can’t see now that our Tengfei has a bright future? Hurrying to catch the last train to get in and become a founding father, Luo Qing is a smart person.”

Liu Jun was helpless and had to end the conversation, letting his beaming father go upstairs. He wanted more to talk to Cui Bingbing, to share his excitement about Luo Qing’s return. Why did Luo Qing leave when he had nothing, and why did Luo Qing, with his bright future now, give up what he had to tie himself to this pirate ship? The reasons couldn’t help but make Liu Jun, who had come this far bloodied and battered, feel infinite emotion. How could this be explained merely by shared beliefs? Cui Bingbing could understand him, and he had also grown to like coming home to discuss their respective work with her. Now he felt empty, with his excitement having no outlet, suffocating him with it bottled up inside.