Though Lao Meng had called Qin Sheng purposely to explain what Wu Hao and Zhao Xuan did, Qin Sheng was disappointed by them because they didn’t treat him as a brother, and he was not prepared to forgive them. He thought they would never meet each other after that, and he was unhappy about Lao Meng bringing them here.
Qin Sheng specially brought Qin Ran, his sister, to meet Hao Lei, his best friend. Additionally, he had to talk about some important things with Hao Lei and ask him to go to Beijing after the Spring Festival. But he didn’t expect Hao Lei to take Lao Meng here. What was worse, he even took Wu Hao and Zhao Xuan here, which made Qin Sheng feel uncomfortable. As a consequence, he had to inform Hao Lei of the business next time, maybe by cell.
There were six persons in total in the room. Qin Ran said hello to everybody and then observed Qin Sheng’s friends. She soon realized that they might have had some conflict before, and that was why Qin Sheng looked uneasy.
Hao Lei broke the silence. “When did you come back? How have you been doing recently?”
“I arrived in Xi’an at noon today. I experienced a lot of ups and downs and have gotten on another track of life. I can tell you the details next time,” Qin Sheng said and sipped some tea. Qin Ran poured tea into the cups for the others.
There were compotes and desserts on the table, but nobody was in the mood to taste them. Hao Lei was not sure if Qin Sheng was willing to forgive Wu Hao and Zhao Xuan, and he had to make him realize their purpose and sound him out.
Hao Lei gave Zhao Xuan and Wu Hao a glance. They were all very awkward, so he decided to push the conversation forward. “Lao Qin, I asked them to come with me. I know you felt hurt by what happened before, but had no real sufferings. I’ve been with them since I came back. We have been good friends for all those years. Now we all have become different people due to the different ways we chose. But the years of brotherhood are really lasting, and we’re not supposed to end it because of such small conflicts. We’re still in our 20s, and still young. Qin Sheng, why don’t you cherish these friends more and give them a chance?”
“Is that all?” Qin Sheng was still and seemed to refuse.
Hao Lei continued his persuading. “Over the past year, we experienced a lot and so did they. They had reflected on it. You know them, they’re not bad by nature. I don’t know if you can forgive me. But at least, I hope you can give them a chance.”
Hao Lei then turned to Wu Hao and Zhao Xuan. “Say something! Don’t you remember why you’re here?”
Wu Hao and Zhao Xuan were not willing to talk about those things in front of strangers, but Qin Sheng’s reaction was telling them that this was their last chance, or they might be never able to see him again. If they really cherished this friend, the only thing they could do now was bow and apologize.
Wu Hao made up his mind and said, “Qin Sheng, to be honest, you know me, I’m kind of cocky, but I’m born to be kind. That’s why we became friends. When we were at school, we were like real brothers. But because I fell in love with Su Qin, who adored you, and you were brilliant at school, I felt jealous of you in some way. I wanted to go to the university in Beijing, but I finally stayed in Xi’an because I heard that Su Qin’s father made her stay in Xi’an. So when I knew that Su Qin went to Shanghai for you, I was heartbroken. That was why, apart from you going back to Xi’an during the university’s vacation time, I rarely got in touch with you. After graduation, I swore that I must be successful, especially better than you. I wanted to make Su Qin feel regret. With the help of my family, I became rather successful. The year before last year, when you came back to Xi’an, you asked me out for a drink. I refused because I was really busy and you had disappeared for two years, in addition to those past things on my mind. Last time you were back, Hao Lei and Lao Meng informed me and then I prepared for the dinner, which I really regret. I heard of your experiences from Hao Lei, so I was eager to show off in front of you. You, Qin Sheng, used to be the best among us, but things were different. I wanted you to see how successful I am. I wanted you to admire and follow me so that I could feel better. But you didn’t. You were indifferent to all of that and just came to see us. I didn’t meet my expectation and was angry. So I said something to insult you on purpose, making you break out. And what happened after that was no more than to scare you. I just wanted you to bow to me, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I didn’t dare to do that, as we used to be like brothers.”
Wu Hao spoke honestly. He was not afraid if he would be looked down upon or Qin Sheng wouldn’t forgive him. He just needed a chance to talk about these to others. He had been suppressing it for a long time.
“Is that all?” Qin Sheng sneered. It was not possible to ask for his forgiveness through such a speech.
Wu Hao shook his head and said, “No. There are other things that made me reflect deeply. Over the past few years, I gained success in a rather easy way, so I became arrogant in some way. But what happened last year to my family and I made me really understand who deserved to be my real friends and which lifestyle belonged to me. Only when one is down could he realize those truths of life. I found that over the past about 30 years, the happiest period was when I was in senior high and you were the only real friends for me. Since I offended you, my friends all left me. So I finally realized that I was wrong. I couldn’t help slapping myself. Lao Meng had criticized me a lot for that. He said that we were like brothers, and how could I do those things. I felt pained over what I did to you and wanted to call you to apologize. But I was not brave enough. Recently, Brother Lei got back and we went out for drinks together every day. I cried and talked about those things to Brother Lei every time I got drunk. I called you, but your cell was powered off. Brother Lei said that he didn’t know where you were either. One day when Brother Lei was drunk, he told us about the trouble you faced and enemies you had. He said that you almost died and you were still hiding from your enemy. You didn’t dare to come back even during the Spring Festival. But this time, I was feeling worse when I heard of your difficulties. My brother led such a difficult life. I didn’t help, and I even did something like stab him in the back. I deserved to face all those troubles. No matter how successful I might become, I’ll never have real friends. Because all my real friends have been driven away by myself.”
When Wu Hao ended his speech, his face was covered with tears. He was having a difficult time. He didn’t know how to get through it without Brother Lei, Lao Meng, and Zhao Xuan.
Qin Sheng was moved. He felt pained when seeing his brother-like good friend.
“Ah…” Qin Sheng sighed, with various thoughts flooding through his mind.
Since he had spoken a lot, Wu Hao had opened his mind. “Qin Sheng, by the way, I went to Shanghai for Su Qin after you broke up. I hoped that she would choose me since I’ve been rather successful. But she said something to me, and then I gave up totally. She said that wealth, good looks, and family background wouldn’t bring one everything one wanted or happiness. She chose you because of your innocence from the bottom of your heart, rather than other things. At that very moment, I realized that I would never be better than you.”
Qin Sheng was surprised by Su Qin’s words, which made him more ashamed and uneasy.
Wu Hao sighed and said, “Now, I’ve understood. No matter how successful they might become, people without true friends are no more than the walking dead. Qin Sheng, I learned a lot from you, and I don’t want to lose you. I’ve been feeling guilty for offending you. I cried and got drunk lots of times, regretting what I did. At that time, it seemed that I became a different person. How could I do those things to you? So I’m here today to meet you. Though you might not forgive me, I have to speak out my mind, or I’ll feel bad for the rest of my life. As for your reaction, I don’t mean to push you. I can take anything for my mistake.”
After that, Wu Hao held the tea cup, drinking it down like it was a cup of wine.
Lao Meng and Hao Lei had been used to Wu Hao’s guilty look. He looked rather normal now compared to a couple of days ago.
Following Wu Hao, Zhao Xuan said, “Qin Sheng, I don’t intend to make such a long speech like Hao. When we were at school, I really admired you from my heart. I was firm that I would surpass you one day. We’ve been good, but I distanced myself from you, for I knew the relation between Hao, Su Qin, and you. I was behind Hao last time for his hatred toward you. But I didn’t have bad feelings for you, and I really treated you as my brother. I tried to persuade him not to do that much, but failed.”
Qin Sheng knew about Wu Hao and Zhao Xuan, feeling that they were honest. Zhao Xuan was such a person who was only close to one single friend. He thought highly of friendship.
“Lao Meng and Brother Lei know what happened to us recently, but you must have no idea. Our family companies both encountered some incidents and are broke. We reflected on all of our mistakes, especially what we did to you. It is still on our minds.” Zhao Xuan forced a bitter smile. “Today, we come, regardless of our dignity. We wish to apologize, and we don’t push you to forgive us. We just want you to know that we’ve reflected on ourselves, and we’re not the kind of person who denies their mistakes.”
Zhao Xuan ended his speech and kept silent after. He and Wu Hao both lowered their heads, waiting for Qin Sheng to make his choice. No matter what it would be, they would accept it.
Thousands of thoughts filled Qin Sheng’s mind. He didn’t know what to say now and had no idea what had happened to them. His two friends were stricken so much that they looked nearly dead.
Hao Lei broke the silence. “Lao Qin, do you know why I forgave them? Not because of what they said just now, but something else.”
“What?” Qin Sheng frowned.
Hao Lei said slowly, “One day when I was drunk, I told them about some of our experiences before. I didn’t intend to ask for sympathy. I just feel really bad, you must know why. Wu Hao and Zhao Xuan said, ‘Brother Lei, you and Qin Sheng have faced too many difficulties. Why don’t you come back? Though we’re also going through a hard time, we’re still able to do something. We can cooperate to start a new business. I believe that we can do something.’ I was moved. They were in really difficult times, but they still thought about us. They’re not bad.”
Hao Lei’s words really touched Qin Sheng, who was drowned in thinking.
Qin Ran didn’t say anything. She just heard and understood the whole thing. She admired Wu Hao’s and Zhao Xuan’s attitudes. Not everyone could ask for forgiveness so honestly.
Everyone kept silent, waiting for Qin Sheng to make a choice.
Lao Meng couldn’t bear the silence and said, “Lao Qin, say something; yes or no. Nobody’s going to blame you. They need your answer now.”
Qin Sheng shook his head and finally said with a smile, “Would you like to have a cup of wine? I haven’t gone for a drink with you in a long time.”
Now everyone got what Qin Sheng meant.