On usual days, Xia Ding had been living at No.1 Zhong Liang Ocean View. The luxurious housing by the side of the Pudong River was pricey and costly, where an inch of land was worth an inch of gold. Back when the housing properties by the side of the Pudong River had first gone on sale, Xia Ding’s father had bought this property, which had been called “The King of Housing Property” in Zhong Liang Ocean View at that time. The area of the place was about 400 square meters. Of course, its price started at 40 million dollars. Admittedly, the Xia Family was quite rich.
However, among all the luxurious housing properties by the riverside in the whole Lujiazui section, only Building A and Building D of the Thompson Suite and Building Tian Yue of Zhong Liang Ocean View were the authentically luxurious ones. As for the former, the price of each house was over billions of dollars. Consequently, the latter was cost-effective. It was not until Xia Ding had graduated from his post-graduate study and worked smoothly that Old Master Xia had gifted him with this housing property.
However, Xia Ding’s parents rarely came here. If they were in Shanghai on usual days, they would stay in the Villa Mandarin Palace of Century Park, which was not far away from here but pretty close to Thompson Golf. Consequently, that was the reason why Xia Ding had been able to pick Chang Baji up at noon.
It was the first time that Qin Sheng had been here after he had come back to Shanghai the year before last. At that time, he had sat on the balcony with his three other brothers, enjoying the night view of the Bund. They had felt so good to drink and bullsh*t with each other at the same time. At that time, Qin Sheng had sighed emotionally that it felt so f**king good to be rich and thought that he would buy a kind of luxurious building like this if he were rich in the future. At that time, all of those wishes had been nothing but a dream to him.
However, these dreams did not need to be fulfilled by himself. Let alone the question of whether the Qin Family had a luxurious building in Shanghai or not, the siheyuan in Beijing had been an aspiration in many people’s eyes. Qin Sheng did not know whether his current situation was good or bad. Admittedly, he did need to put his mind at ease. Otherwise, he would lose himself sooner or later. After all, those things he had been dreaming of eagerly in the past were within his reach easily now.
However, what Qin Sheng looked forward to the most was the house that he had pooled money in with Lin Su to purchase in Hangzhou. Unfortunately, before the house had been handed over, he had left Hangzhou destructively.
Qin Sheng had been to Xia Ding’s luxurious property so many times when he had been in Shanghai. Consequently, he, who had been quite familiar with it, found the entrance with ease.
However, before he pressed the doorbell, the door had been pulled open from the inside. Following that, a pleasantly scented woman ran out into his arms. He did not even have time to identify who she was. At the same time, the woman kissed him fervently.
The series of moves caught Qin Sheng off guard.
Qin Sheng did not have time to clearly see who the girl was. After all, he had drunk a lot last night. Moreover, he had drunk half a kilo of liquor with the elder, his son, and his son-in-law at dusk. At this moment, he did feel somewhat dizzy. A thought popped into Qin Sheng’s mind subconsciously. He wondered if the girl was Xia Ding in a female disguise. If so, then Qin Sheng would wonder when Xia Ding had become so hardcore.
As Qin Sheng thought of this probability, he was so scared that he pushed the beauty in his arms away in a hurry. Though the beauty had a pair of quite dazzling lips, if it turned out that she was Xia Ding, Qin Sheng might not have any appetite at all in the next a few days.
After Qin Sheng pushed the beauty in his arms away and before he had time to clearly see who she was, he saw Xia Ding walking out of the room, looking cynical as always. The smile on his face was vicious. As Qin Sheng saw the scene, he was relieved. Fortunately, it turned out the woman was not Xia Ding in a female disguise.
Qin Sheng lowered his head and saw a beauty, who was about to burst into tears. She looked miserable and her eyes were brimming with tears. Qin Sheng exclaimed and said, “Han Bing, why are you here?”
Yes. The beauty, who had taken the initiative to throw herself into Qin Sheng’s arms and kiss him, was exactly Han Bing. It was nobody else but Han Bing. After all, Qin Sheng was not charismatic enough to make others do so.
Han Bing stared at Qin Sheng closely and questioned him, “If Xia Ding had not told me that you were in Shanghai, would you have planned to not contact me?” Qin Sheng had driven her crazy. Back when she had been in Shanghai previously, Qin Sheng had gone to Hangzhou after he had been missing for half a year, which caused her to exert great efforts to make up her mind to go to Hangzhou as well. However, before she had stayed in Hangzhou long, Qin Sheng had disappeared again.
Originally, she, who had been resentful, had planned to reason with Qin Sheng once she saw him again. However, the moment she had seen Qin Sheng, all of her courage had failed her. She found out she had missed Qin Sheng so much. That was the reason why she had hugged Qin Sheng impulsively and kissed him. However, she was clear-headed at this moment.
Qin Sheng did not know how he should respond to Han Bing’s question right away. He said somewhat awkwardly, “Well, as for this, Han Bing, let me explain to you. I just arrived in Shanghai and didn’t have time to contact you. Originally, I had planned to turn to you after I was done with my obligations in a few days. If Lao Chang had not been here, I would not have called Xia Ding. What’s more, I was unsure whether you were in Shanghai or Hangzhou.”
Han Bing was not tricked by Qin Sheng’s explanation easily. She snorted and said, “Is that your excuse? I have been in Shanghai for so many years. If I didn’t come to celebrate the New Year Holiday here, where would I have gone? Back when my father passed away, you promised him that you would take care of me. However, how did you take care of me? You were always missing. How many days have you been by my side after my father passed away? Do you know how lonely I have been during the New Year Holiday?”
As Han Bing continued talking, she, who had been standing at the entrance, felt wronged and burst into tears, which caught Qin Sheng off guard. Xia Ding and Chang Baji, who were inside the room, shrugged. The looks in their eyes indicated that they could not do anything since it was Qin Sheng’s private matter.
However, what Han Bing had said made sense. It was true that Qin Sheng had somewhat disappointed her. Back when Han Guoping had passed away, at that time Qin Sheng did promise the middle-aged man that he would take care of his daughter, whom he could not stop worrying about. As the saying goes, one should try one’s best to accomplish what one has been entrusted with. Qin Sheng should stick to his promise. However, since Qin Sheng had led quite a chaotic life over the past two years and could not even take care of himself, well, how could he have time to take care of Han Bing?
As Han Bing cried, Qin Sheng did not know what he should do. Consequently, he had no choice but to hug Han Bing in a hurry and console her as he said, “Sorry, sorry, sorry. It’s all my fault. I should not have disappeared without any reason or cause. I should have contacted you as soon as possible after I came back to Shanghai. I promise you that I won’t disappear again in the future and you can find me anytime you want. What do you think? My Lady, can you stop crying? Your makeup is all ruined. Look at how ugly you are now.”
As Han Bing heard what Qin Sheng had said, as expected, she stopped crying. With tears in her eyes, she said, “Are you sure you are not lying to me?”
Qin Sheng, who dared not say any more nonsense, nodded without hesitation and said, “I am not lying to you, I promise. If I am, I will…”
Before Qin Sheng finished his words, Han Bing covered his mouth and said with a pout, “I believe you.”
After Han Bing finished her words, her face lit up with happiness. After that, she held Qin Sheng’s arms and walked him inside. At the same time, she winked at Xia Ding and Chang Baji. Qin Sheng thought, “This girl is so unpredictable, who cries and laughs freely. Am I trapped?” It seemed that Han Bing could trap him. After all, this girl was a coquettish young girl. If she intended to trap him, then that was it. Qin Sheng directly stopped speculating about her intention. Anyway, Qin Sheng did owe her. If he would suffer losses because of her this time, it would be justifiable.
Various delicacies were on the table in the living room. Of course, alcohol, the most indispensable thing, was also served, including various kinds of alcohol, such as red wine, liquor, rice wine, cocktails, and beer. After Qin Sheng saw the scene, he was greatly startled.
Qin Sheng, who intended to chicken out, said, “What is this for?”
Xia Ding said disapprovingly, “Big Boss, do you know how many beauties I abandoned to accompany you here? If I didn’t get you drunk tonight, I would suffer a great loss. Lao Chang also agreed that we should have a good time drinking together. By the way, I forgot to tell you one thing, Lao Si is on the way here. The way you see it, why does he come here?”
As Qin Sheng heard that Lao Si was on his way, he was startled and said, “What the hell! Are you kidding me? Did Lao Si rush from Nan Jing?”
Xia Ding explained smilingly, “It’s not as bad as that. He arrived in Shanghai yesterday. Since it is the New Year’s Holiday, he will start doing whatever he should do, including doing his New Year’s calls and visiting others. It just so happened that he finished attending a dinner party a moment ago. Consequently, he is on the way here.”
Qin Sheng let out a long sigh and considered himself lucky. Otherwise, he would not know how he should deal with Lao Si. However, at any rate, based on the relationship between him and the three other brothers in his dormitory at college, there should be no issue at all.
After they sat down, Qin Sheng picked up a glass of alcohol and started to think of backing out. He, who had been drinking too much during this period, had no choice but to say, “I will drink some alcohol. However, I have to remind you first that you shouldn’t get me too drunk today. It was not until I had just come back to Shanghai that I saw my grandmother. I have been living in her old-style villa with her these days. I got very drunk last night. My grandmother stayed up waiting for me out of concern. Consequently, I can’t go back home all drunk. We’ll have more opportunities to drink with each other in the future. I will have a good night of drinking with you next time.”
Han Bing and Chang Baji did not oppose his request at all. Xia Ding could somewhat understand why Qin Sheng had said so since he had heard from Chang Baji about some things related to Qin Sheng. Consequently, after he said yes to Qin Sheng’s request, he poured the alcohol to the brim for everybody as he said, “First of all, let’s congratulate Big Boss on his return to Shanghai. Secondly, let’s celebrate our reunion. Lastly, let’s celebrate Big Boss’s reunion with his family members, and hope that Big Boss can be surrounded by good luck and become awesome from now on.”
Instead of talking any further nonsense, Qin Sheng directly tilted his head back and drank up. He had put everything he wanted to say in the alcohol. From now on, however far he would go with his new identity, never would he forget those brothers and friends who had always helped him out previously.
Consequently, after Qin Sheng poured the alcohol in the second glass to the brim, he looked at Chang Baji and said somewhat self-mockingly as well as sadly, “This time, let’s salute nobody else but Gu Qingyang.”
Except for Chang Baji, neither Xia Ding and Han Bing knew who Gu Qingyang was. As they looked at each other awkwardly, Qin Sheng stood up, walked to the balcony, and poured the glass of alcohol on the ground directly.
The bright moon was hanging on the sky. The night view was pretty spectacular. Unfortunately, Gu Qingyang, who had died for Qin Sheng, did not have any chance to enjoy the view anymore. Many people probably would ask if it was worthwhile for Gu Qingyang to do so. However, when it came to whether some things should be done or not, people should make the decision based on the justifiable perspective rather than the pragmatic one.
Qin Sheng mumbled to himself as he said, “Qingyang, let me drink a toast to you first. On the day I avenge you, I will have a good drinking session with you until I get drunk.”
Chang Baji, who was in the living room, did not explain anything to Xia Ding and Han Bing at all. Nor did he pour the cup of alcohol on the ground. Instead, he lifted his head and drank it down again. More unknown dirt and darkness were looming in a seemingly dazzling and wonderful life. However, some people were accustomed to living under the sunshine, and some others had no choice but to familiarize themselves with the rules of the games in the darkness.
Xia Ding and Han Bing did not ask for further details from them since they could clearly see from Qin Sheng’s behavior that the man named Gu Qingyang was dead. They could also figure it out roughly based on their knowledge of some issues related to Qin Sheng.
After Qin Sheng came back to the living room, poured the alcohol in the third cup to the brim, and waited for someone to take the initiative to drink a toast, the sound of the doorbell rang.
Xia Ding, who picked up the wine glass that he had put down a moment ago, walked to the entrance with quick strides as he said, “Big Boss, let’s hold off the third toast. Lao Si is here.”
Qin Sheng squinted, drank alone, and mumbled to himself as he said, “The third toast is to the past, the future, me, and you.”
Never would he put the past behind and fear the future…