Chapter 30
On the second day, Zhou Chao woke up late in the morning, and after a simple wash, he found Lin Wu already waiting at the door. Curiously, he asked, “When did you arrive? Why didn’t you knock and call me? Come on in and have a seat.”
Lin Wu followed Zhou Chao inside without saying a word. Zhou Chao was about to ask what was going on when he saw Lin Wu preparing to kneel on the ground. Quickly, he held him back, saying, “A true man shouldn’t kneel. What are you doing?”
Tears streamed down Lin Wu’s face as he said, “Thank you, Mr. Zhou. My mother called last night and said you arranged for 200,000 yuan to cover my father’s hospitalization and put him in a private ward. I’m truly grateful.”
“There’s no need for such gratitude. You’re someone I believe in, and it’s something I should do. Moreover, you were once a resolute soldier, dedicating ten precious years to our country. I only did what I could. Don’t cry anymore.”
A man’s tears are not shed lightly, only when he truly feels sorrow. Lin Wu wiped his tears and restored his firm demeanor. Except for his reddened eyes, no one could tell that this strong man had cried like a child just now.
“Mr. Zhou, I’ve made up my mind. I’ll follow you from now on. I hope you won’t mind.”
“I’m thrilled! Why would I mind?”
“Mr. Zhou, where are we going today?”
“You will go back to Modu today to drive the Phantom back. Do you have a place to stay in Modu?”
Lin Wu touched his short hair and said, “No, I used to stay in a small motel.”
“Well, you drive my car back to Modu. Go to The Palms Residence and take the key. It’s my old mansion on Yanqing Road, and it’s vacant now. You can stay there for the time being. When your father is discharged from the hospital, you can move him there for recuperation. Oh, there’s also a Maserati at home; you can drive that for now.”
“Mr. Zhou, I…,” Lin Wu wanted to say something, but Zhou Chao stopped him, saying, “Since you’re following me now, don’t say anything else. Okay, go and pack your things. Go back to Modu first. I’ll transfer 200,000 yuan to you later; you can use it without restraint.”
“Mr. Zhou, what about you?”
“It’s fine. Tomorrow, I’ll take a flight to Peng City. It might take me about a month before I return to Modu. By then, your father should be out of the hospital. When I’m back, I’ll call you. Now, take care of your father and head back.”
With some hesitation, Lin Wu eventually turned and left Zhou Chao’s room. Zhou Chao felt quite excited at the moment, as he had found himself a good bodyguard with loyalty and integrity. He felt relieved.
After organizing his belongings, Lin Wu said his goodbyes to Zhou Chao and drove the Phantom back to Modu City. Meanwhile, Zhou Chao left the hotel and made his way to West Lake. As the saying goes, “There is heaven above, and there are Suzhou and Hangzhou below.” Therefore, when in Hangzhou, one must seize the opportunity to leisurely wander around West Lake and appreciate the stunning beauty of landmarks like the Leifeng Pagoda. The Ten Scenes of West Lake leave an indelible impression on anyone who visits.
Zhou Chao checked the distance and found that it wasn’t too far, so he hailed a taxi right at the hotel entrance and headed straight to the West Lake Scenic Area.
Upon alighting from the taxi, Zhou Chao swiftly acquired a bike rental card and secured a bicycle, all set to embark on a cycling journey around West Lake. His first destination was the enchanting Broken Bridge in Remnant Snow, a spot that exuded exceptional beauty during the winter season. When snowflakes danced gently, the bridge’s faint reflection adorned the serene lake surface. After savoring the sight, Zhou Chao pedaled onwards to explore the next captivating attraction.
He visited several places, including “Listening to the Orioles Singing in the Willows,” the Leifeng Pagoda, the Su Causeway, and the Impression West Lake. Each site allowed him to deeply appreciate the poetic and picturesque charm of West Lake. After returning the bicycle, Zhou Chao decided to take a boat ride to enjoy the lake from a different perspective.
Under the tranquil lakeside, Zhou Chao hired a traditional hand-rowed boat, reserving it solely for himself. Guided by the boatman’s experienced strokes, he floated freely across the lake, enjoying the gentle breeze caressing his face. Sitting at the bow, he felt like a figure in an ancient painting, a graceful and refined young gentleman, drifting amidst the azure waves.
After spending a whole day wandering around West Lake, Zhou Chao decided to disembark and find a place to taste some of Hangzhou’s local delicacies. He inquired with the boatman, who mentioned that Dongpo Pork from Dongpo Family Feast was considered the most delicious dish in all of Hangzhou. Eager to experience this renowned specialty, Zhou Chao wasted no time and headed straight to Dongpo Family Feast as soon as he stepped off the boat.
It is said that Dongpo Pork from Dongpo Family Feast is the most delicious dish in all of Hangzhou. Being a true food enthusiast, Zhou Chao found it hard to resist the temptation of such exquisite cuisine. Before long, Zhou Chao arrived at Dongpo Family Feast located on Yan’an Road. As soon as he sat down, a waiter approached to take his order.
Zhou Chao ordered several famous Hangzhou dishes, including West Lake Vinegar Fish, Longjing Shrimp with Tea Leaves, Beggar’s Chicken, a small bottle of Peach Blossom Wine, and the dish he had been looking forward to the most – Dongpo Pork. The waiter informed him that each serving of Dongpo Pork only consisted of two small pieces, so Zhou Chao decided to order two portions.
Soon, the dishes arrived one by one, each exuding a delightful aroma. Zhou Chao couldn’t wait to savor the delicacies before him. First, he tried the Dongpo Pork, and with a satisfied expression, he remarked, “Mmm, delicious! The meat is tender and not greasy, especially delightful when paired with these small buns.” Pairing it with the Peach Blossom Wine, he quickly finished both portions of the Dongpo Pork.
The other dishes also vanished from the table in no time, leaving Zhou Chao feeling thoroughly content. After enjoying the delectable meal and taking in the night scenery of Hangzhou, he returned to his hotel.
Early the next morning, Zhou Chao hurried to the airport and secured the earliest flight to Peng City. Aware that lingering in Hang City would tempt him to extend his stay, he decided to be decisive and return to Peng City. He knew there would be ample opportunities in the future to revisit Hang City and experience the charm of the ancient Jiangnan region.
Upon arriving at Peng City Airport, it was already around 11 a.m. Being his first time in Peng City, Zhou Chao found himself unsure of where to go. Consulting the internet, he searched for a 5-star hotel near Tencent headquarters.
He soon made a reservation at the luxurious Kempinski Grand Hotel, conveniently located close to the Tencent headquarters. Hailing a taxi from the airport, he headed straight for the hotel.
“Phew, I’m exhausted. Next time, I won’t plan such a tight schedule. If only I had called Uncle Teng to arrange everything. I’ve worn myself out,” Zhou Chao sighed, feeling the fatigue from the early flight and busy day taking its toll.
Unaware of the passage of time, he drifted into sleep on the comfortable hotel bed.
When he finally awoke, it was already 3:30 in the afternoon, and his stomach rumbled with hunger. Feeling refreshed after his restful slumber, Zhou Chao called the hotel front desk to arrange for some local delicacies to be delivered to his room, appreciating the luxury of staying in the Presidential Suite.
In no time, the hotel staff arrived with the ordered delicacies, and Zhou Chao, who was ravenously hungry, wasted no time in devouring the meal.
Lying on the sofa, Zhou Chao occasionally let out a burp. It was mainly because he had eaten too quickly, and his stomach felt a bit bloated. He drank a glass of water to ease the discomfort and took a brief rest. After a moment, Zhou Chao took out his phone and called Uncle Teng from Tencent Group.
Perhaps Uncle Teng was in a meeting, as nobody answered the call, so Zhou Chao hung up.