During this period, Qin Sheng, who had gotten a new identity, was trying his best to adjust to the new life. Besides reconnecting with his old friends, he started to take on new friends. Of course, he needed to adjust his state slowly.
After Qin Sheng finished the third glass of alcohol, he stood up quickly, walked to the entrance, and stood shoulder to shoulder with Xia Ding, awaiting Lao Si’s arrival. After all, he had not seen Lao Si in a long time.
A few minutes later, they saw Yu Kefei walking out of the elevator with the smell of alcohol all over his body, who looked pretty refreshed. Yu Kefei would stay in Shanghai for a few days every year to celebrate the Spring Festival. Since Qin Sheng and Qin Ran had been in Shanghai to pay New Year’s calls on behalf of Qin Changan, of course, Yu Kefei needed to visit their old friends in Shanghai on behalf of his father. After all, the Yangtze River Delta was an integral section.
Originally, Yu Kefei, who had known that Xia Ding was in Shanghai to celebrate the New Year Holiday, had planned to meet Xia Ding after he was done with his obligations. After all, he had sufficient time. However, it did not occur to him that Xia Ding would call him this afternoon, saying that Qin Sheng was also in Shanghai. Both Yu Kefei and Xia Ding had gotten the news from Cao Yufeng that Qin Sheng had come back to Shanghai. However, since both of them had been quite occupied during the New Year Holiday, they did not have time to contact Qin Sheng. Moreover, they somewhat resented Qin Sheng. After all, it was Qin Sheng who had not taken the initiative to contact them after he had come back to Shanghai.
Originally, Yu Kefei and Xia Ding had planned to head for Beijing after the New Year Holiday so that they could meet two other brothers from the dormitory. However, it did not occur to them that Qin Sheng would be in Shanghai first. Consequently, after the first social party came to an end, Yu Kefei directly canceled the second social party this evening and rushed over to Xia Ding’s house in a hurry.
Xia Ding walked forward to greet him and mumbled, “F**k. How much did you drink? I guess you hit the wall.”
Yu Kefei said disapprovingly, “Brother San, rest assured that I can still beat you when it comes to drinking.” Yu Kefei had graduated from college several years ago and had not participated in postgraduate study at that time. That was because he had wanted to blend into the operation of the enterprise of his family as soon as possible. Consequently, compared with others, Yu Kefei was the most greatly transformed.
Xia Ding said disdainfully, “Can you please stop bragging? In the majority of situations, we are tight.”
Yu Kefei, who did not bother to pay attention to Xia Ding, stared at Qin Sheng, who looked quite calm. Originally, Yu Kefei had planned to express much of his resentment to Qin Sheng. However, he was discouraged from doing so since he had heard some things related to Qin Sheng from Xia Ding. Among the four persons in their dormitory, except for Qin Sheng, the other three all came from powerful families. Consequently, all of them had lived quite a smooth life after graduation. However, as for Qin Sheng, whose family background was ordinary, he had been living a rough life all the time.
As a result, Yu Kefei could somewhat understand how Qin Sheng had dealt with some things. In this society, for the ordinary ones who wanted to rise high, if they accomplished everything smoothly, it would take them at least five or 10 years to succeed. After all, plots of making a great fortune overnight only showed up in movies or novels.
Yu Kefei walked toward Qin Sheng slowly, hugged him directly, and said pretty affectionately, “Big Boss, you don’t need to say anything at all. I believe you must have many secret problems.” Back when they had been at college, among the four people in the dormitory, Xia Ding was the most carefree one, who had never thought about too many things. Cao Yufeng had been dedicated to his studies quietly. Qin Sheng was the one who had taken care of him the most.
If Yu Kefei had cursed Qin Sheng, Qin Sheng might have felt somewhat relieved. However, what he had said made Qin Sheng feel somewhat uncomfortable. He did not know how he should respond to what Yu Kefei had said. After all, among the four of them in the dormitory, except for him, a weirdo who had disappeared frequently, the other three had communicated with each other often.
Xia Ding, who could not put up with this scene, pulled Yu Kefei away and said smilingly, “We are all muscular men. Don’t act like a woman. Let’s stop talking about this nonsense and start expressing what we want to say by drinking.”
Yu Kefei, who also thought he had acted like a woman, burst into laughter and said, “What Brother San said makes sense. I am here today for drinking. I will let the alcohol talk on my behalf.”
This was the second time that Qin Sheng, Xia Ding, and Yu Kefei had been together since graduation. Previously, it was usually two out of three who had reunited. Back when they had been at college, they had thought that it did not matter at all whether they could see each other again in the future. After all, they were together with each other every day at that time. On the eve of their graduation ceremony, they had even told each other that they should f**king see each other more in the future and never should they forget each other as time went by. Even so, as they looked back upon the past, they realized that the times they could see each other again after being engaged in society were numbered.
Consequently, when it came to many things in life, instead of thinking about how things would end up in the future, people should cherish the opportunity every time they were together, enjoying food and wine unscrupulously, cursing and smiling freely. When people needed to part with each other, people should take the moment seriously. Once they parted with each other, it was unknown when they would see each other next.
Since Xia Ding had been pretty close to Qin Sheng, he knew his friends, including Lao Chang and Han Bing. However, Yu Kefei didn’t know either of them at all. As Yu Kefei saw that there was a beauty on the scene, of course, he made a random guess. He had heard from Xia Ding that Qin Sheng was popular among women. As for Chang Baji, Yu Kefei thought of him as one with a unique temperament, who did not have other specialties. After all, he had not communicated with a kind of guy like Chang Baji often.
Though Yu Kefei knew neither Han Bing and Chang Baji, he knew instantly that they were Qin Sheng’s and Xia Ding’s friends after Xia Ding’s introduction. Consequently, he did not act reserved at all.
Since the last member was ready in the end, the drinking party kicked off formally. As the host, Xia Ding took the initiative to pick up a glass of spirits and say, “Lao Si, we drank two toasts to each other before you got here. I will be the first one to drink the third toast. Before we finish the third toast, I want to say, though Brother Er is not here, I sincerely hope we can meet each other more in the future without anybody absent, and all of us can become better and better and become outstanding in the future. What’s more, I hope that in 10 years, our relationship with each other will be the same as it was in college.”
After Xia Ding finished his words and intended to pick up the glass, Yu Kefei interjected, “Brother San. Hold on, please allow me to say something.”
Xia Ding said smilingly, “Feel free to say whatever you want.”
Yu Kefei stared at Qin Sheng and said, “Big Boss, I have nothing else to say except that I advise you to not disappear all of a sudden in the future and you should communicate with your brothers more frequently. As long as you call me, I will rush over to be by your side unless I have something urgent to attend to. Moreover, I know you have gone through a lot of things, suffered many hardships, and offended many people. However, you should know that you are never alone. I dare not say what others would do. But from my side, as long as you ask me to help you, I will proceed without hesitation.”
Xia Ding said half-playfully, “Lao Si, you are being dramatic again. We all know these things well. We don’t need to speak them out.”
Qin Sheng sighed emotionally as he said, “Though I dare not say I have been greatly enlightened in recent days, I figured out a lot of many things. I promise you that I won’t do the same thing again in the future. If any accident happens in the future, I will ask for help from you instead of being polite to you. Let’s stop talking. Here we go. Let’s drink.”
Others echoed as they said, “Let’s drink, drink.”
After everybody drank a toast, they were open to each other and started chatting with each other unscrupulously. Han Bing was in charge of pouring drinks for the others. Chang Baji was not talkative, who barely spoke unless others asked him questions. Most of the time, it was Qin Sheng, Xia Ding, and Yu Kefei who were chatting, talking about those interesting deeds they had done at college, what they had gone through respectively after graduation, what they were going to do with their future life, and so on. Han Bing cut into their conversations at times depending on the atmosphere.
Since Yu Kefei and Qin Sheng had finished a round of drinking before this drinking party, by the time it was 11 o’clock, the drinking party had almost come to an end. Chang Baji and Yu Kefei stayed in Xia Ding’s house. After all, there was nobody else there.
Qin Sheng had to go home since the old lady probably was waiting for him. Han Bing did not live far away from Xia Ding’s house. Consequently, Qin Sheng ordered a taxi and sent Han Bing home first conveniently.
On the way home, Han Bing held Qin Sheng’s arms closely and leaned her head on Qin Sheng’s shoulder gently. As she stared at the scene of festivities outside the windows, she did not feel lonely and dejected anymore. A slight hint of happiness as well as a sense of security, which she had lacked the most, lingered around her heart.
Qin Sheng felt somewhat sorry for Han Bing, who had had her father as her supporter previously. However, ever since Han Guoping had passed away, Han Bing had no one to depend on. After all, except for those friends, she had no real relatives anymore in Shanghai. Of course, she could not go back to Gansu.
Consequently, after Qin Sheng saw Han Bing again, he did not treat her the same way he had in the past since he felt somewhat guilty about her. After all, he had not taken care of her in the past two years. Though he knew Han Bing was still in love with him, he did not discourage her from doing so, as it was a blessing to be in love with another person. Therefore, Qin Sheng did not say no to Han Bing’s intimate behavior although he still considered Han Bing as his sister and hoped that she could lead a smooth life.
Han Bing asked without turning her head around, “Have you seen Lin Su yet?” Though the way she had talked was casual, Qin Sheng could tell that she had asked him this question discreetly.
Qin Sheng found it funny and said, “Why did you ask me this question all of a sudden?”
Han Bing pouted her lips and said, “I just want to know your answer, that’s all.” Of course, never would she tell Qin Sheng why.
Qin Sheng, who knew her thoughts well, said smilingly, “Not yet.”
Han Bing said complacently, “OK. Then I beat her this time.” It seemed that she had gone back to the time of her childhood when she had taken part in the final exam and had outperformed other classmates who were more favored by the teacher.
Qin Sheng did not know whether he should laugh or cry as he said, “Silly girl.”
Han Bing replied disapprovingly, “I like to be silly. It will be best if I can stay silly all the time. Anyway, nobody interferes in my life now. I don’t need to care about what others will think of me.” Following that, she asked, “Will you go back to Hangzhou again? Or do you plan to pursue your career somewhere else?”
Qin Sheng, who did not intend to keep anything from Han Bing, said honestly, “I will probably visit Hangzhou again. But I won’t stay there. I will probably spend more time in Beijing and Shanghai in the future.”
Han Bing let out a long sigh and said, “It seems that my subsidiary company in Hangzhou, which has been operating for just less than half a year, will be closed soon.”
Qin Sheng, who felt that he had been wronged, replied, “Is it my fault?” He did not want to take this blame without a valid reason.
Han Bing, who did not even bother to pay attention to Qin Sheng, thought, “If I don’t blame you, who else can I blame?”
Han Bing arrived at the entrance of her housing estate soon. It was not until Qin Sheng saw her enter the housing estate that he asked the driver to head for Sinan Road. Of course, he had promised Han Bing many things.
By the time he went back to the old-style villa on Sinan Road, the old lady was at rest. Several groups of guests had visited the old-style villa today, who turned out to be the old lady’s relatives. It was not until after 10 o’clock that Zhu Qingwen left. Originally, the old lady had planned not to entertain anyone, which Zhu Qingwen had found too heartless. In the end, Zhu Qingwen had convinced the old lady successfully to entertain the guests.
Of course, Qin Ran had not left. Instead, she had been sitting in the living room, waiting for Qin Sheng’s return. After all, she had something to discuss with Qin Sheng. Back when her Small Aunt had been here, she had notified her Small Aunt in advance. Of course, she had also informed Qin Changan in advance, who was far away from her in Beijing.
After Qin Sheng walked in, he asked cautiously, “Is Grandma asleep?”
Qin Ran stood up and poured a cup of Sober-up Tea, which she had prepared in advance, as she said, “Grandma did not sleep in the afternoon. Consequently, she went to rest at 9:30 tonight. Drink some tea to sober yourself up. Fortunately, she rested early. If she had seen your drunken look, she would have thought less of you, who she considers as her obedient grandson.”
Qin Sheng burst into laughter and did not express his opinion.
Qin Ran squinted and asked, “Are you sure you want to go to Ningbo tomorrow?”
Qin Sheng put down the teacup, lifted his head, and said, “Yes. I don’t want to keep her waiting for me for so long. To her, every day might be torture. Moreover, since Lao Chang is in Shanghai, I have nothing to worry about.”
Qin Ran nodded and asked, “OK. Are you sure that I don’t need to accompany you there?”
Qin Sheng held his sister’s hands, smiled awkwardly, and said, “Sister, all you need to do is sit in the headquarters and map out an overall strategy. I will need your help at that time.”
Qin Ran said frankly, “OK. Then I won’t go there. After all, I have something to take care of in Shanghai. However, I will ask Nan Gong to accompany you there, who was in Shanghai at dusk.” Though she would not go to Ningbo, she needed to help Qin Sheng mobilize the resources of the Qin Family.
Qin Sheng did not say no to Qin Ran’s suggestion since it would be best if Nan Gong was also by his side. Consequently, he nodded and said, “All right. I will be obedient to your arrangement, sister.”
After Qin Sheng went back to his room and finished washing up, he lay on the bed. However hard he tried, he could not fall asleep. After all, he needed to face the Lin Family once again. As Qin Sheng thought of how he had been treated by the Lin Family last time, he was resentful. Moreover, Qin Sheng turned up his nose at how the Lin Family had dealt with his issue, especially how they had treated Lin Su.
Consequently, he was expectant of how the Lin Family would treat him this time, hoping that the Lin Family would not disappoint him.
Qin Sheng thought, “Lin Family, here I come…”