Ever since Qin Sheng returned to Shanghai after having been missing for more than two years, Cao Yufeng had only met him once. Cao Yufeng was a man who had his ideals and aspirations. Meanwhile, his family placed great expectations on him, hoping that he could go further. Consequently, Cao Yufeng was under great pressure.
Ever since his childhood, he had been more mature than his peers and hadn’t touched the things he shouldn’t touch. Based on his score in the national college entrance examination, he could have chosen Peking University or Tsinghua University. However, knowing that he would be faced with many temptations if he chose to stay in Beijing, he had obeyed his family’s arrangement and went to Shanghai without hesitation.
In his four years at college, never had Cao Yufeng been in a relationship. The times of his absence from class was easily countable. He went to the library more frequently than Qin Sheng. After all, sometimes Qin Sheng would need to accompany Su Qin to go shopping, and so on. Though he majored in economics, as long as there were no classes related to his major, he would also join the classes related to the other two courses in the economics department, which were financing and fiscal science. In the end, even the teachers of the two majors took him as a local major student. In his sophomore years, he took on a second major, which was international politics.
It was clear that Cao Yufeng had planned his life well from the beginning, which was to pursue an official career. Among the four people in the dormitory, Cao Yufeng was the most laborious and hard-working one. Even Qin Sheng felt inferior to him, who came from a more influential family and who was better and more hard-working. If this kind of man could not succeed, then who could?
When he graduated from college, he was hesitant about whether he should take part in the national post-graduate entrance examination or not. That was because the post-graduates would have more options in the national civil servant examination after graduating. However, in the end, he made up his mind and did not continue pursuing the postgraduate study. Instead, he chose to take part in the national civil servant examination first so he could pursue the postgraduate study as well as work at the same time, which would not miss either of his goals. Consequently, he had been quite occupied in the last few years after his college graduation. He wished there were 72 hours per day.
The reason why he had made such great achievement was not that his family had helped him a lot but rather, he had earned it with his efforts. Though back when he had succeeded in the interview of Ministries and Commissions, his family had informed somebody in advance. However, the main reason was that his capability had been acknowledged.
From his graduation, work, taking part in the national post-graduate entrance examination, getting promoted, and getting engaged, to getting ready for the marriage, it was clear that Cao Yufeng had planned his life well. He had followed the prescribed steps and completed each step practically.
As for his feelings for Luo Xiu, in the beginning, Cao Yufeng had no clue about her family background, as she had been introduced to him by his friends. He liked the girl’s simplicity and sincerity. They shared many interests and topics in common. Consequently, they ended up being together. As for Cai Han, who had been after him for two years, Cao Yufeng did admit that she was quite beautiful as well as outstanding. However, though there were many good-looking bodies, interesting souls were rare. Getting married was an important thing for his life, which could not be taken as a game.
Cao Yufeng had thought of refusing Luo Xiu. First, their family backgrounds did not match at all. Second, he did not want others to say that he rose up because of her connections. However, in the end, he persisted in staying with Luo Xiu. That was because he had pretty good impressions of Luo Xiu’s parents, who thought highly of him and did not make light of him because of his inferior family background. Moreover, Cao Yufeng’s reputation was well known in his company. When it came to the choice of his relationship, if he could not even put up with this kind of pressure, he would be simply too mentally fragile.
Cao Yufeng took Luo Xiu by his side and sat down together with Qin Sheng. They sat on the edge. Reflecting on his experience over the last few years, Cao Yufeng eyed Qin Sheng up and down. He had been quite busy in these few years and rarely had he seen his brothers. Consequently, he did not know many things about Qin Sheng. He had heard from Xia Ding before, saying that Qin Sheng had been in Shanghai for a while before going missing for half a year, who had gone to Hangzhou to pursue his career later on. Some time ago, Xia Ding had called him and informed him that Qin Sheng had gone missing again. Cao Yufeng could not help wondering what Qin Sheng had been up to, why he disappeared all of a sudden all the time, and why he showed up here all of a sudden today. Meanwhile, Qin Sheng had stood up for him and backed him up, which Cao Yufeng simply could not understand.
However, back when he had finished New Year’s Eve dinner last night, he had talked with Yu Kefei and Xia Ding on video for some time. Of course, they had talked about Qin Sheng. Xia Ding had said that he did not know how he should explain some things, saying that he could only tell them that their Big Boss had gone through quite a rough time in the last few years. If they were powerful in the future, they needed to help the Big Boss more.
Cao Yufeng had been silent at that time. That was because Xia Ding and Yu Kefei could help Qin Sheng more directly now, and he could only help Qin Sheng out after he achieved somewhat of a social status.
Qin Sheng introduced Cao Yufeng to everybody as he said, “Sister, Sister Pony, let me do the introductions. He was my roommate at college as well as my brother, who had been with me for four years.” Qin Sheng said so to explain why he had acted so recklessly and confronted the counterpart without flinching. Otherwise, others would not understand why he had done so.
It was not until this time that everybody on the scene figured it out. Qin Ran also knew why Qin Sheng had been so angry a moment ago. It turned out that the man was not simply his ordinary friend, but his roommate who had been with him for four years at college. In this case, she could understand why Qin Sheng had done so.
Ma Weiyang, who had been so angered by Chen Taihe, snorted and said, “Oh, oh, so that’s it. He is your brother. He has been taken advantage of by these fools today. Brother, if your anger is not vented off, I will help you with that later on.” That was not because she was afraid of Chen Taihe but, to say the least, this issue was none of her business. If Chen Taihe had offended her, she would not have cared about whether it was Chen Taihe or Li Tailai. She would have argued the point to death.
Ma Weiyang taunted Qin Sheng again as she said, “However, your fighting a moment ago amazes me so much. Were you trained? If I were not married, I probably would have been your wife.” Even though Ma Weiyang had gotten married, she never acted formally.
Qin Sheng found it funny and did not know whether he should laugh or cry as he replied, “I am afraid that if the brother-in-law hears your words, he will blacklist me in the future.”
Ma Weiyang found it amusing and said, “Does he dare to do that?” Speaking of her marriage, it was definitely family arranged. However, she had no problem with that. That was because her husband did treat her quite well. She could put up with him as long as he was not involved with others on the side. Consequently, everybody admired Ma Weiyang so much because of her nice husband.
Qin Ran stared at Ma Weiyang and said, “Pony, that’s it. You are taunting my brother again.”
It was not until Ma Weiyang heard Qin Ran’s words that she stopped taunting Qin Sheng, turned around, and started chatting with Fan Dezhi. Qin Ran looked at Cao Yufeng and asked, “Since you were my brother’s roommate, you are also my brother. How does the bruise on your face feel?”
“Sister, thanks for your concern. It is not a big deal at all. I will be fine after I put some ice on my face at home. Sorry for causing trouble to you today.” Cao Yufeng was not that fragile at all since he had fought and been hurt before. Fortunately, it was the Spring Festival. He might have been in trouble if he had to go to work like on normal days.
“You don’t have to be so polite.” Qin Ran looked at Luo Xiu and said, “Your name is Xiu Xiu, right? I should have seen you several times before. But I have seen Uncle Luo more often.”
What Qin Ran had said left a good impression on Luo Xiu. She smiled and said in a hurry, “Hello, Sister Ran Ran.”
At this time, Qin Ran looked at Qin Sheng. Qin Sheng got her point immediately and knew that it was clear that they should not catch up here, which was inappropriate. Consequently, Qin Sheng stood up and said farewell to the group of people including Ma Weiyang. After that, he left with Cao Yufeng and Luo Xiu.
Though it was the Spring Festival Holiday, many restaurants were still open in the vast Beijing City. After all, to many people, they could celebrate the holiday next year. However, never should they miss out on the cash.
Ghost Street was not far away from there. After Qin Sheng went outdoors, he took Cao Yufeng and Luo Xiu there by taxi. They arrived there less than a few minutes later. Since Qin Sheng was not familiar with the surroundings, so Cao Yufeng chose a restaurant named “Tong Le”, where he had come to enjoy the lobsters frequently.
After they went into the restaurant, they found their seats and placed an order.
Then Qin Sheng took a glimpse at Luo Xiu and said to Cao Yufeng, “Well? Don’t you plan to introduce her to me?”
It was not until this time that Cao Yufeng realized that he had not even introduced Luo Xiu to Qin Sheng yet. He found it funny and did not know whether he should laugh or cry as he said, “Let me formally introduce her to you. She is my girlfriend, Luo Xiu. To be more exact, she is my fiancée now. We got engaged before New Year’s Eve. Xiu Xiu, you must know the identity of this handsome guy, who was extremely brave a moment ago. He was my roommate at college, Qin Sheng.”
Qin Sheng took the initiative to greet Luo Xiu formally and smiled as he said, “Congratulations, Lao Er. It did not occur to me that you would be the second brave guy who is ready to go into the marriage grave.”
“You will also get married sooner or later. I will not talk about Xia Ding, who is a womanizer as well as a young master. However, I heard from Xia Ding that you had a girlfriend too, who turned out to be an extremely beautiful woman. When can I see her?” Back when they had just met there, Cao Yufeng had felt somewhat nervous, knowing that the group of people sitting beside Qin Sheng was not ordinary at all. Rarely had he talked. However, there was nobody else there now but themselves. It was not until this time that Cao Yufeng returned to his old self.
Speaking of Lin Su, Qin Sheng sighed subconsciously. Cao Yufeng frowned and said, “What happened? Did you break up?’
Qin Sheng shook his head and said, “It’s a long story. I will explain it to you later. I have not seen her for two or three months. Compared with your life, I have gone through a f**king a hard time all the way here.”
At this time, the waiter served the wine. Luo Xiu poured it for them quite naturally. Cao Yufeng held up his glass and said, “It’s the Spring Festival Holiday. We should stop talking about these sad things. I don’t want to dig into your past. I feel quite thankful for meeting you today.”
The Cao Yufeng whom he had known before was back. Qin Sheng held up his glass, drank it down, and said, “After we said goodbye to each other in Shanghai, half a year had passed. Time flies. It did not occur to me that I would meet you here.”
“Well, Big Boss, to be honest, don’t make fun of me. Based on my level, at first, I was not entitled to be at such a party. However, Xiu Xiu wanted to come, saying that she would introduce a few friends to me conveniently. Then I came with her. It did not occur to me that I would run into Du Xuan there. However, upon thinking back, it was quite natural. It was normal for him to attend the party. While for me, it was not. He and I are in the same company. Originally, we were not on good terms with each other. As the saying goes, those who have different beliefs should not work together. We do not usually interact with each other. Well, nobody knew that we would have more conflict and hate each other more because of a woman. I was accidentally involved. He liked a woman who happened to have a crush on me. She had been after me for two years. As for the rest, you know it already.” Cao Yufeng explained what had happened between him and Du Xuan today to Qin Sheng simply, in order to let Qin Sheng know that it was not him but Du Xuan who had taken the initiative to pick the fight.
Qin Sheng nodded smilingly and said, “I know your character well. Never had you been in trouble during the four years at college. However, you’ve been pretty lucky in your adventures with women. Aren’t you afraid that Xiu Xiu will ask you to kneel on the washboard?”
Cao Yufeng said with a smile, “It won’t happen. Xiu Xiu knows it better than anybody else.”
Qin Sheng laughed out loud. “Hahaha, good boy. It seems you have found a good wife.” Though an unpleasant interlude had happened a moment ago, Qin Sheng was in quite a good mood since he had met his Lao Er again.
Cao Yufeng held up his glass and drank another toast to Qin Sheng. After that, the smile on his face became dim gradually. He said quite solemnly, “Big Boss, anyway, thanks so much for today. If it were not for you, I would have been greatly disgraced. Consequently, Xiu Xiu and I will drink a toast to you.”
Qin Sheng held up his glass, smiled bitterly, and said, “Based on our relationship, you don’t have to say these words. Stop talking nonsense. Drink!”
After Cao Yufeng drank up the wine, he said somewhat self-deprecatingly, “Well, Big Boss, don’t look down upon me. We could be unscrupulous at college. Fighting and making trouble were nothing at all. However, we are more helpless after entering society. I can only put up with Du Xuan today, who hit me and who I could not offend. All I could do was act submissively and put up with him. I don’t want to put up with him either, since nobody is willing to be a loser. However, sometimes you have no choice but to be a loser since you are not capable of acting like a boss. After all, he was born into a powerful family and his uncle is a leader in Ministries and Commissions.”
Qin Sheng was somewhat at a loss, realizing that his previous words of “Lao Er, when did you become so weak? You did not even dare to fight back after being hit” had hurt Lao Er. He said in a hurry, “I said that unintentionally. Don’t take them to heart, Lao Er.”
Cao Yufeng shook his head, smiled bitterly, and said, “Big Boss, I am not blaming you. It’s just that I am somewhat emotional. I think it is not just me who would be so in such a situation. Lao San and Lao Si might have more difficulties.”
Qin Sheng poured the wine to the brim as he said, “We won’t talk about that today. I will trick Lao San and Lao Si into coming to Beijing after the Spring Festival Holiday. At that time, let’s complain freely and get good and drunk.”
Cao Yufeng, who also thought he was too emotional, said in a hurry, “OK. Let’s stop talking about these things. Let’s drink. Drink.”
But they did not spend much time there drinking. That was because it was the Spring Festival Holiday now. Everybody had chores to attend to tomorrow. However, they did have a good time drinking.
Qin Sheng and Cao Yufeng did not talk much nonsense at all. Cao Yufeng did not ask what had happened to Qin Sheng previously. Nor did Qin Sheng ask how he was doing with his current job and so on. That was because these things mattered nothing to them at all.
They felt grateful for meeting and drinking with each other at this moment.
During the gathering, Qin Ran texted Qin Sheng and asked him where he was. Qin Sheng had replied that he was in a restaurant named Tong Le on Ghost Street. Consequently, Qin Ran asked Uncle Gongsun to arrange a car, which had been waiting for Qin Sheng outside until he parted with Cao Yufeng and Xiu Xiu.
On his way back to the siheyuan of the Qin Family, Qin Sheng felt somewhat emotional. He felt more aggrieved when he reflected on Cao Yufeng’s words of “All I could do was act submissively and put up with him.” However, they had no other way out. That was because this was how life was supposed to be.
Consequently, Qin Sheng became more assertive about the thought in his heart. Since he had gone back to the Qin Family, he would not think about nonsense anymore. He would accept his identity comfortably. Only by doing so could he go further. Only by doing so could he get revenge on his enemies and be less helpless…
