I politely took my leave from Sister Shen, saying I had to go home for New Year’s. After the holidays, I would come back to pay, and would still need her help then.
Sister Shen was in a perpetual state of confusion. She thought she had caused me to be caught red-handed by my “husband,” and if there was a divorce or something in the future, it would all be her fault. So after just a few words, she fled as if escaping.
Cheng Xia expressed satisfaction with this outcome.
We didn’t leave Fengcheng, but instead changed to another hotel. The standard was a bit lower than what Sister Shen had arranged for me, but it was very clean, and the buffet was especially delicious.
I was carefully reviewing the materials Sister Shen had given me. I needed to do another detailed background check.
It was simple—someone who inexplicably appeared to help you, led you to indulge in alcohol and pleasure, keeping your head dizzy, deserved vigilance.
Cheng Xia looked at the materials and said, “This Yiyuan Construction you want to acquire truly has no debt or equity disputes, but the price is a bit inflated.”
“It’s still within a reasonable range though.” I said, “I’m more worried there’s some major trap waiting for me.”
Cheng Xia pondered for a moment and said, “Yes, we need to inquire through other channels.”
He made several phone calls, then turned back to tell me, “A senior in the construction industry is also in Fengcheng. Shall we go chat?”
“Right now? This circle isn’t that big. Wouldn’t it be bad if Sister Shen found out?”
Actually this was an excuse. Mainly because I had eaten too much, and if I kept drinking, I’d at least get a perforated stomach.
Cheng Xia said, “It’s fine. I’ll go with you. Even if word gets out, it’s just a couple wanting to start a company.”
He smiled and said, “I’ll just have to trouble you a bit, wife.”
That senior executive also did municipal engineering projects. His schedule was packed tight. He told us he was about to fly out, and we had to get to his office within half an hour.
The man was kind-faced and amiable. He even brewed tea for us, asking Cheng Xia unhurriedly, “This is Da Hong Pao from a tea farmer friend of mine. Try it. How’s your father doing lately?”
“Pretty well. He keeps saying that when he retires, he’ll travel around the country to visit old friends.”
“Oh ho, then I’ll be waiting for his honored arrival.” The senior laughed, naturally transitioning to the main topic, “You want to start a construction company, is that right? Do you have any projects on hand?”
“Yes, it’s a school project.” Cheng Xia said, “To avoid trouble, we want to directly acquire a company, Yiyuan Construction. What do you think?”
“Ah, their top person is called Zhang Cheng.” The senior narrowed his eyes, “This company has a decent reputation, but the past two years might not have been great for them. How about this… shall I call him over so you can talk?”
Cheng Xia and I looked at each other. My scalp tingled. I was about to express no need, absolutely no need, when I heard Cheng Xia say humbly, “That would trouble you.”
“No trouble. I won’t be in Fengcheng next week. If there’s anything, you can talk directly with him. It’ll be more convenient.”
He then talked about several other suitable construction companies and Fengcheng’s business environment. It was exactly opposite to what Sister Shen had said. He believed Fengcheng had too many companies, too few resources, and high costs, making it unsuitable for startup companies.
I felt this wasn’t Sister Shen’s fault. People in different positions see different things and naturally reach different conclusions.
In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Zhang Cheng arrived.
I was uncomfortable with awkwardness all over. That day at Sister Shen’s banquet, we had drunk together and had been just short of signing a contract. Now I had found other channels to investigate him. Who wouldn’t find this awkward?
But he truly was an old hand, acting completely as if he hadn’t recognized me. He respectfully shook hands with the senior and warmly greeted us.
The senior introduced us: “This is Little Cheng, a nephew of mine and his wife. Their project is in Jinbo City, but they want to open a company in Fengcheng and are looking for someone to consult.”
“Ah, sure.” He said, “Actually you could affiliate with our company, or if you want to register a new company on your end, whatever questions you have, I’ll help you.”
…I really had difficulty merging the polite and refined Mr. Zhang before me with the man from two days ago who drank until his face was red, lecturing me on success studies.
The senior left to catch his flight, and we chatted alone in the office.
He still mentioned that he could establish a subsidiary company for us to acquire, except the price was much lower now.
Later Cheng Xia told me that the senior had informed him that Yiyuan Construction had been poorly managed these past two years and hadn’t had new projects in a long time. The price they had wanted earlier had the flavor of fleecing fat sheep.
But now, his posture was much lower: “Fengcheng has launched too few projects these past two years. We’re also struggling. If Mr. Cheng has projects, we can also cooperate.”
Cheng Xia said, “I’ll consider it.”
Before leaving, Cheng Xia went to the restroom. I still couldn’t help myself and mentioned Sister Shen.
“I was able to come here thanks to Sister Shen making connections, but my husband is meticulous in his work and never feels assured about me.”
Actually my intention was to hint to him not to tell Sister Shen I was still here.
Unexpectedly, he directly understood it as me thinking Sister Shen and he were colluding to get something for nothing, and now I was going to settle accounts with him.
He quickly cleared his relationship: “I’m actually not that familiar with CEO Shen either. She relies on making connections to earn hard money in this circle. You have to give her some face.”
I was truly surprised now, saying, “I remember their transportation company is quite large!”
Zhang Cheng smiled and said, “Ha, their finances have long been separated. In the early years, they relied on CEO Shen being willing to throw herself out there to build their empire. Later after the company got going, her husband kept a clean female college student, so they’re just a surface-level couple.”
I stood there in a daze.
Having rolled around in a pile of men for so long, I knew what the four words “willing to throw herself out there” meant for a woman—how deeply suggestive they were.
I could even imagine their lewd exchange of glances.
Just then, Cheng Xia came back. Zhang Cheng finally said to me, “Since you and your husband have such a good relationship, it’s better not to get mixed up with Sister Shen. It’s easy for people to overthink.”
I forced a smile, feeling like I had swallowed a fly—couldn’t spit it out, couldn’t swallow it down, just disgusting to death.
Zhang Cheng said we should eat together. Cheng Xia declined. We pressed on to meet several more construction company bosses, finally returning to the hotel after nine at night.
Cheng Xia asked me, “Yiyuan Construction offered the lowest price, and they also have no ongoing projects. It’s quite suitable.”
I didn’t speak.
He asked again, “So what are you thinking?”
I said, “Actually after hearing the senior talk today, I think we don’t necessarily have to be in Fengshi. We can look around at surrounding cities. It would be best to find a company that hasn’t operated, with completely clean accounts.”
Cheng Xia said, “But him establishing a subsidiary company would also be one that hasn’t operated!”
I fell silent again. After a long time, I said, “I don’t like that Zhang Cheng.”
First, acquiring a company is quite a complex matter. I felt he was a petty person. The company must have some hidden traps. When we actually cooperate, we’d be unable to guard against them all.
Second, I also harbored a bit of selfishness. I felt Sister Shen had been busy running around for me for so many days. If I went around her to sign this deal, it wouldn’t be right toward her.
Cheng Xia sighed and said, “Okay, then we can only wait until we go back and look in Jinbo.”
I felt a bit guilty. After such a big trip, we were back at square one.
But I also wanted to stick to my intuition—once you feel something is unreliable, what you should do most is cut your losses in time.
I said, “Sorry about that, Cheng Xia.”
“It’s fine. You’re going to be the boss in the future. Your judgment comes first.” He stood up, “Hungry? I’ll go cook you some noodles.”
All afternoon we had just drunk tea and chatted, hadn’t eaten, and also missed the hotel’s buffet.
Fortunately there was an induction cooker in the room. Cheng Xia cooked two bowls of instant noodles.
If you eat this stuff all the time, it becomes disgusting, but occasionally eating a hot bowl, you’d find it utterly delicious—especially on the premise that you haven’t had dinner.
While we were eating, outside the floor-to-ceiling window, a huge firework suddenly burst open, followed by a cascade of colors.
This room was on a high floor. This was my first time seeing fireworks at such close range. I was so startled I nearly dropped my chopsticks, saying, “What day is it today? Why are they setting off fireworks?”
“It’s Little New Year!” Cheng Xia said.
I suddenly realized. I glanced at my phone—it really was Little New Year! I’d been so busy I forgot.
Our family still placed quite a bit of importance on Little New Year. Every year at this time, we would fry pork fat cracklings, make dumplings or fried pancakes to eat.
I wondered how Grandma was doing now. In this week I’d been away, I hadn’t contacted her once.
That sense of escape disappeared. I immediately thought of one hundred and eighty things worth being anxious about. My mood grew heavy.
Cheng Xia asked from the side, “What’s wrong?”
I forced a smile, “Nothing… just feel like we’re both too pathetic, eating instant noodles on Little New Year.”
Cheng Xia smiled. He said, “I feel very happy.”
His eyes looked at me, filled with gentle smiling intent, like a sea of sparkling waves: “As long as I’m together with you, I feel very happy.”
Countless fireworks burst open on the sea’s surface, grand and brilliant.
I averted my gaze and said, “Stop being so sappy.”
The atmosphere at this moment started to feel a bit off. I belatedly realized that he and I were alone in one room, with a very soft bed right behind us.
My face got a bit hot. I speedily finished the noodles and said, “I’m going back.”
Then fled back to my own room as if escaping.
I turned on the faucet, letting the water flow impact my heated body while thinking, I’m really shameless.
In this lifetime, what I hate most is owing others favors. Even Sister Shen, I don’t want to owe.
But in my heart, I indeed have a selfish and sordid thought.
I hope Cheng Xia stays by my side as a friend.
He can provide me with resources. With his care and thoroughness, help me handle matters.
Most importantly, I can see him all the time, feel the infinite tolerance and support he gives me. This is an important source of strength supporting me to keep going.
I don’t want to date him, but I want these things. So I pretend not to feel the gaze he casts each time—gentle, sad, carrying humble hope.
—Just like how many years ago, he treated me.
When I came out of the bathroom wearing a bathrobe, I had already made up my mind.
I need to keep my distance from Cheng Xia. Even if I deceive myself ten thousand times that we’re just childhood friends.
But in my heart I know that our entanglement over these years has already exhausted all paths. Aside from lovers or strangers, we have no other options.
Just then, Cheng Xia called. He said to me, “There’s a gala on TV tonight. Let’s watch it together?”
“How old are you? What’s there to watch?” I said while drying my hair.
He said, “Let’s watch together. Watching alone is too desolate. I’m right at your room door.”
I looked toward that door, hesitating.
Outside the window, the fireworks were still bursting brilliantly, burning out all the radiance of their lives with all their might.
And on the other end of the phone was silence. He didn’t continue speaking. I could only hear gentle breathing sounds.